HARRISON, NJ(SMI-GLOBAL-WOMEN-SPORTS-JULY 13, 2024)-The 4-time FIFA Women's World cup champions and Olympic Gold medalists "US Women's national team" defeated Mexico 1-0, as part of the legacy match in preparation for the Olympic games Paris 2024, & during a sold-out crowd of 26,376 at the RedBulls Arena.

The Impact legacy matches is an annual celebration match in remembrance of historic games in US Soccer history that had played an important role for the future generations of US national team players.

Prior to the start of the game, 20-former players of the 1999 FIFA USWNT World Cup champions were honored in celebration of the 25-years anniversary of their greatest accomplishment that set the new standard in the women's soccer sport in America and the world. The historic remembrance of the "Impact 99"  features  the 1999 USWNT who defeated China 5-4, in penalty kicks to win its second FIFA Women's world cup title.

With the win, USWNT (FIFA World#5) improves to 8-1-2 in 2024, extend its unbeaten streak to 8, and 3-0, under new Head coach Emma Hayes.

The Stars & Stripes wasted not time and went to the offensive from the start with three consecutive counter-attacks in the first 4' minute, with forward Sofia Smith aiming twice on target and midfielder Rose Lavelle once with a header that was saved by Mexican goalkeeper Esthefanny Barreras.

The US kept the pressure and in another counter-attack through the right-side field, midfielder Rose Lavelle gave a perfect pass to Trinity Rodman inside the 18, immediately crossed it to Sofia Smith, who shot with a right-footed bouncing-off goalkeeper Barreras' glove for another sensational save and sending both teams to the locker-room scoreless at the half.

In the second half, the Stars & Stripes picked-up where the left when midfielder 
Linsey Horan kicked a long pass from the back field to Sofia Smith who from the left-side corner ran with the ball inside the penalty box and shot a right-footed that was saved once again by Mexico's goalkeeper at 51' mark.

The US took control of the midfield and kept the pressure with continuous counter-attacks in search of the goal but the Mexican goalkeeper was playing protagonist in the game by stopping all the offensive finish of the Stars and Stripes.

In another counter-attack the right-side field, Rose Lavelle kicked a long-pass to from the backfield to Trinity Rodman who crossed it to Mallory Swanson in the middle and gave it to Sofia Smith inside the 18'm and who score at 64', with curvy right-footed to the right-goal post for her 20th goal of her career and the only goal of the game that secure the 1-0, victory for Team USA over Mexico.

The USWNT will close-out its preparation for the Olympic Games in Paris France with a send-off game against Costa Rica on Tuesday July 16, at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.     



Article Written & Photo By Marcello Cutti II/Starlight Illustrated