USWNT vs. Mexico: Top Storylines and Predictions for 2024 Friendly

Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF

Before they head to France for the Olympics, the US Women’s National Team will descend upon Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey for the Impact 99 Legacy friendly match against rival Mexico.

With the team’s roster just finalized by first-time head coach Emma Hayes on June 26, the match-up against Mexico could prove to be of the utmost importance for the squad’s chemistry and momentum entering the Olympic games.

What should USWNT fans expect from the team El Tri Femenil Saturday?

Find out with this preview.

Information and How To Watch

Date: Saturday, July 13

Time: 3:00 p.m. ET

Location: Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey

TV: TNT, TruTV, Telemundo

Streaming: Max, Peacock

A Matter of Redemption

The United States women have suffered a single loss in 2024, a 2-0 loss to Mexico in the finale of the Concaf W Gold Cup this past February. It was humbling defeat and only the second time in the history of their match-ups that the Mexican team has been able to hang an “L” on the Americans.

Still, the USWNT holds a commanding 40-2-1 record against their rivals.

The home team has undergone a change in its roster with the retirements of Julie Ertz, Megan Rapinoe, Sam Mewis, and Kelly O’Hara, with just eight players from the 2020 Olympic team and 11 players from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup squad, per the US Soccer .

Forwards Crystal Dunn, Sophia Smith, and Mallory Swanson lead the charge offensively for the Americans while Casey Krueger is a name to watch defensively.

With a winning 7-2-1 record this far, the USWNT will look to make an emphatic statement ahead of France, announcing to the world through their play on the pitch that they are a threat to take gold in France as one of the premier teams in the Olympic games.

They will do so amid pomp, circumstance, and celebration as the Impact 99 Legacy will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 1999 team, led by Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, and Julie Foudy, that won the Women’s World Cup in dramatic fashion.

It will also pay homage to Alyssa Naeher for making her 100th appearance this past March.

The Mexican team, led by head coach Pedro Lopez, knows it can beat the United States squad and will have confidence as they take to the field Saturday afternoon. Lizbeth Ovalle and Mayra Pelayo are quality scorers and were responsible for the two goals that won them the Concaf W Gold Cup match.

If they can manipulate the American defense and find the net the way they did in the February match-up, it will be difficult to stop them from earning another upset.

Maria Sanchez has 66 caps and is the team’s leading international scorer, having found the net 14 times against teams from around the globe.

The Americans are still so strong, with depth at nearly every position, and should earn the victory in New Jersey.

A loss would be a setback and create more questions, even in a friendly, than the team would care to have to answer with the Olympics right around the corner.

Prediction: USWNT downs Mexico in a tight game, 1-0