Concacaf Women's Olympic Qualifying USWNT vs Mexico on Jan. 31: Match preview, kick-off time, and broadcast listings

Topics: Concacaf Women's Olympic Qualifying, Tokyo 2020, #CWOQ, USWNT, Mexico, Christen Press, Renae Cuellar, Stephany Mayor, Daniela Espinoza, Lizbeth Ovalle, Jimena Lopez, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Canada, Christine Sinclair, Carli Lloyd, Jordyn Huitema

In our match preview informing you where and how to watch the USWNT’s Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying semi-final against Mexico, we compare how each team performed in their groups, analyze both team’s head-to-head record and point out a couple of players to watch.

The rivalry between the USWNT and Mexico is not quite the same as the one in men’s football, but the stakes will be at an all-time high on Friday’s Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying semifinal. Depending on the result at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles, CA., one of these sides will be waved goodbye while the other will be welcomed to Tokyo 2020 with open arms.

The Stars and Stripes have never failed at this stage of this competition and have gone on to win all four previous CWOQ. Meanwhile, Mexico is no stranger to this stage either. La Tri has reached three semifinals and even made it to the 2004 final.

Nonetheless, the pressure lies on the USWNT despite being favorites. They are the World Champions, the No. 1 ranked team on the planet and the home team after all.

Group-stage analysis

The USWNT has breezed past group stages as it was projected to. Their results in this year’s tournament are very similar to the previous two years. The U.S. did not concede a goal during group stages in 2012 or 2016 and has done it once again. The Americans scored a whopping 31 goals in 2012, but competition has gotten tougher over the years with the Stars and Stripes scoring 16 goals in 2016 and improving that number to 18 this year.

The home team’s biggest moment of adversity came in the first half of Group A’s opening match against Haiti. Despite scoring a goal in the opening two minutes, the World Champions found it hard to break through the young and energetic Caribbean side for the remainder of the half. The Haitians even put a goal past American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher only to be called back for no reason. On a positive note, the hosts came out strong in the second half putting three past Haiti as the game ended 4-0.

Mexico, on the other hand, has improved since 2016. Even though the Mexicans gave the United States a headache in a 1-0 loss, they fell to Costa Rica 2-1 in their final group match. Then, a third-place finish saw them exit the competition prematurely.

This year, La Tri looks stronger and has performed well beating the Reggae Girlz 1-0 and Saint Kitts and Nevis 6-0. A 2-0 loss to Canada left Mexico as the second seed of Group B. El Tri Femenil had a rough outing with the two-time Olympic bronze medalists Canada. The Canadians are on a roll with Christine Sinclair breaking the all-time international goalscoring record and her prodigy, 18-year-old Jordyn Huitema, who scored five goals against Jamaica. A 2-0 loss was not a terrible result to a team with such momentum going their way.

USWNT vs Mexico: head-to-head

Mexican fans are eager for a spot on the Olympic Games, something they have not lived since 2004. But it is something to fantasize about given the strength that this USWNT possesses, but to be fair, the history between these two sides in CWOQ since 2004 is closer than what you think.

The U.S. and Mexico have met five times in the previous four CWOQ tournaments. The USWNT has won all five games but there have been close calls. In 2004, La Tri lost 2-0 during the group stages but managed to meet the USA in the final which ended 3-2. Two goals separated Mexico and the U.S. in their meetings in 2008 and 2012 2-0 and 3-1 respectively. And in 2016, the Mexicans flirted with victory once again keeping the game level at zero goals until Carli Lloyd scored the 80th-minute winner.

Believe it or not, the 11-3 goal record over the course of these five games is an impressive feat for Mexico when facing the U.S.

USWNT vs Mexico: Players to watch

USWNT – Christen Press

Christen Press has always been an outstanding player who often has been overlooked given the competition for attacking positions in the USWNT. Nonetheless, the L.A. native has shown once again why she’s one of the world’s best in this outing.

Check it out for yourself:

She scored the USA’s first goal of the tournament teasing us with what she delivered against Costa Rica.

Can we talk about how @lynnraenie's shoe FLEW OFF right before that assist which then led to that @ChristenPress GOAL?! pic.twitter.com/UE0FlQg7Ui
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) January 29, 2020

This is how she opened the scoring against Costa Rica.

What a strike from @ChristenPress!

She opens the scoring as the USWNT leads early in Olympics qualifying. Again. pic.twitter.com/Yw8QA9SZdJ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 4, 2020

Talk about a forward’s ability to play central or wide. Pure versatility going forward.

.@ChristenPress has the sauce tonight!

Two quality goals in the opening half.#USWNT | #CWOQ pic.twitter.com/Cax9h8sAhD
— NWSL (@NWSL) February 4, 2020

Mexico – Renae Cuellar

The 29-year-old forward has scored the lone goal against Jamaica on Matchday 1 and a brace when Mexico faced Saint Kitts and Nevis on Matchday 2. The veteran striker failed to make the best out of a headed chance in the 17th minute of the match against Canada. Nonetheless, she will hope to score against a strong American defense with assistance from teammates Stephany Mayor, Daniela Espinosa, Lizbeth Ovalle and Jimena Lopez.