CONCACAFW: Mexico vanish under pressure, Grosso ignites Canada

The CONCACAFW tournament is underway in Monterrey, Mexico. As it's serving as both the continental crown and the route to the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, there is added pressure to the competition.

That pressure showed late on Monday night when the hosts drew a blank against Jamaica in the second match of Group A. The tentative-looking El Tri, fielding a handful of young and inexperienced Internationals, went a goal down in the 8th minute and never truly recovered.

Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw scored an immaculate header over Casandra Montero for the match's only goal. Montero, who is naturally a defensive midfielder but had been selected to play at center back, was making just her second-ever appearance for Mexico. As well as struggling to contain Shaw, the Chivas player also gave away a penalty in the first half due to a harsh but fair handball call. Havana Saolaun blasted the spot-kick woefully wide to limit the Jamaican's lead. 

Mexico head coach Monica Vergara put the blame on herself for Mexico's uncharacteristically sheepish display. "I am responsible for this result," said Vergara after the match. "For me, the most important thing is the development of the players and that they know that we continue on this path." 

To Jamaica's credit, head coach Lorne Donaldson got his tactics spot on. The Reggae Girlz smothered Maria Sánchez in Mexico's midfield off the ball and bypassed the El Tri's shape entirely when in possession. 

Studs up

Earlier on Monday, the U.S. Women's national team had a rocky encounter with Haiti. Alex Morgan's impressive NWSL form continued for her country. The San Diego Wave forward netted two slick goals in the first 23 minutes to give the reigning CONCACAF champions a grip on the match. 

Things got typically CONCACAFian towards the end of the first half. In the 42nd minute, Haiti forward Roselord Borgella missed a penalty. Just a few minutes later, Borgella then made history by being involved in the first-ever VAR decision in CONCACAFW history. Having initially been shown a red card by the referee, for imprinting her cleat onto the torso of Kelley O'Hara, on further inspection the foul was reduced to a yellow card. 

Midge Purce came off the bench in the second half to score the USA's third goal and helped assuage fans' concerns over the team's ability to break down opponents. 

Perhaps one of the biggest outcomes of the match was a young USA fan at the Estadio Universitario who went viral for his unmatched passion. Upon seeing Morgan score two insouciant goals in Monterrey, the adorable Luca felt compelled to yell the forward's name. We've all been there.  

Tico-Taka

Unlike Monday, Tuesday's matches came without any shocks. As expected, Costa Rica and Canada rose to the occasion and took care of business against their lesser-ranked foes. 

The common opinion suggested that if any team could upset the apple cart in Group B, then it would be Panama. With Liga MX Femenil club Leon forward Marta Cox leading the team, the Canal Women are always capable of cropping up with a goal. 

Like the USA, Los Ticos did well to dispel any thoughts of a shock result by scoring two early goals and asserting their dominance. Portland Thorns midfielder Rocky Rodriguez scored the first and Maria Paula Salas scored the second inside the first 24 minutes of the tilt. Finally, Katherine Alvarado made it 3-0 by scoring a penalty in the second half to give the match a more one-sided appearance.

A special mention to the 2021-22 Scottish Premier League's player of the year Priscilla Chinchilla, who showcased magnificent awareness and delicate feet on the way to assisting Salas' goal for Los Ticos. 

"I'm over the moon"

The running theme of early goals deciding matches was present once again when Christine Sinclair scored her 190th international goal for Canada against Trinidad & Tobago. Although Bev Priestman's heavily-rotated Canada team struggled to break down its opponent after going ahead, a 60th-minute substitution that saw former Texas Longhorn Julia Grosso replace Desiree Scott kicked the North Americans into an attacking gear.

Entering the match at 1-0, Grosso scored twice within 18 minutes of her introduction — remarkably, her first and second-ever goals for Les Rouges, Canada added three more before the full-time whistle. Along with Grosso, Janine Beckie grabbed many plaudits for her display. The Portland Thorns forward finished with three assists and one goal on the night. 

Priestman's quadruple substitution at the hour mark was the key move of the match. After the changes, Canada was able to exploit the space, move the ball quicker and take their chances after Trinidad & Tobago had put up a stubborn defensive fight.

"There's a narrative we have a lack of goals, we put that to bed now," said Priestman after the match. "I'm really pleased with the impact our finishers made and I'm over the moon that we got that many scorers on the score sheet." 

NEXT UP:

Thursday, July 7: Jamaica vs. USA, Mexico v. Haiti

Friday, July 8: Costa Rica vs. Trinidad & Tobago, Canada v. Panama

READ MORE: How to watch July's CONCACAFW/World Cup qualifiers