World Cup Qualifying: Morgan, Rapinoe Lead U.S. In Rout Over Mexico

USWNT_2018_World_Cup_Qualifying

The U.S. began their World Cup qualifying campaign on a high note, dispatching Mexico for the the third time this year, winning 6-0.

The U.S. got off to a hot start, scoring in the third minute via a Megan Rapinoe goal.

After giving up the early goal, Mexico tightened up defensively the rest of the first half, not allowing any U.S. goals despite multiple chances created. Going into halftime, the U.S. held a 1-0 lead.

The second half is when the game really opened up, with the U.S. taking a 2-0 lead in the 47th minute when Julie Ertz pounced on a loose ball in the box for an easy goal.

The game then turned into a rout over the remaining minutes of the game, started off by an Alex Morgan goal off a corner kick assist by Megan Rapinoe. Morgan ran into the box unmarked and finished with a header for a 3-0 U.S. lead in the 57th minute.

The U.S. took a 4-0 lead just four minutes later when Crystal Dunn sent a cross into the box that found the head of Tobin Heath.

Rapinoe added another goal in the 70th minute, ballooning the U.S. lead to 5-0 when she tapped in a loose ball from Carli Lloyd’s attempt at goal.

The U.S. capped off the dominating win in the 80th minute when Alex Morgan bagged a brace, her 18th goal in 21 games, team-leading 12th of the year and 92nd of her international career.

With the 6-0 drubbing, the U.S. sits on top of Group A following the first match, with a +6 goal differential. The U.S. will take on Panama in its second group match on Sunday at 3 p.m. MT. The game can be seen on FS1.

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USWNT Faces Mexico; Begins 2019 World Cup Journey