Throwback Thursday: USWNT scores touchdown on Mexico

In September 2013, most fans in North America were preparing for the resumption of World Cup qualifying, with the United States-Mexico match in Columbus being the highlight. However, at historic RFK Stadium in Washington, DC on September 3, 2013, the women’s version of the rivalry was taking place just a week before the men. However, this match was memorable because of the sheer number of goals put on the board.

The USWNT were in the middle of friendlies, trying to figure out lineups they could possibly use before heading into 2014, which would be a Women’s World Cup qualifying year. In Mexico, it was a match that allowed the USWNT to test some players against our rivals from the south, and for these players to prove that they should be a part of that process. What the fans at RFK Stadium were soon about to realize is that the stadium would once again see a football score put on the board.

The scoring started in the 11th minute, with Kristie Mewis feeding Abby Wambach in the box, who left-footed the ball into the net. Then, 10 minutes later, Sydney Leroux decided it was time to completely take over the match. Leroux scored in the 21st minute, cleaning up a Wambach header to make it 2-0, a familiar scoreline on the men’s side between the U.S. and Mexico. However, that scoreline would last just 80 seconds, as Leroux would once again clean up a rebound off a Lauren Holiday shot to make it 3-0. Leroux added goals in the 30th and 41st minute (with Wambach and Holiday once again providing the assists) to make it 4 goals in 20 minutes, and it was 5-0 USWNT at the break.

The USWNT was able to coast in the second half, but not before adding two more goals. In the 55th minute, Rachel Buehler found the ball bouncing around in the box amongst a sea of players and punched it home to make it 6-0. In true RFK Stadium fashion, the USWNT made sure to add the extra point after putting a touchdown on the board. The 7th and final goal came from Morgan Brian in the 72nd minute.

Mexico was outmatched that night, and the stars provided some firepower. But, the Woman of the Match was clearly Sydney Leroux with her 4 consecutive goals. The team’s performance surely was a spark for the men too, who as we know put up another Dos A Cero scoreline in Columbus a week later to qualify for the 2014 World Cup. The USWNT set the pace that night, as they have continually done over the past decade, and they showed on that great night in DC that they were forever the queens of CONCACAF and no one came close to challenging their crown.