'Broken down way too easily' - Alex Morgan admits USWNT were 'nowhere near' best level during shock Mexico defeat as she laments failure to even 'test the goalkeeper' in scathing performance assessment

The United States are safely through to the quarter-finals of that competition, but they have only progressed as runners-up in Group A. They have been accustomed to dominating continental competition, with few sides in the Americas able to live with them.

A rare setback against neighbours Mexico has seen an 80-game unbeaten run against CONCACAF opposition, which stretched back over 23 years to November 2000, brought to a close. There is clearly work to be done in order for dominance to be re-established.

USWNT legend Morgan, who is a two-time World Cup winner with well over 200 caps to her name, told Paramount+ when asked for her assessment of a disappointing display against Mexico: "We just didn't play nearly our best, we found some pockets here and there but not nearly enough, didn't execute the chances we had. I don't think we tested the goalkeeper, I think we got broken down way too easily... Mexico came to play today, they played really well. The whole world is continuing to raise its level, it's helping with all the leagues around the world and Mexico is definitely a product of that with their league. CONCACAF is not what it was. We know we're through, we're going to have to digest and break down this game, but to know we have an opportunity regardless of who we play, we have to turn it around we have to pick our heads back up. We know this wasn't nearly our best."

The quarter-finals of the 2024 W Gold Cup will take place on March 2 and 3, with it yet to be determined who the USWNT will be lining up against. They remain optimistic regarding their chances of claiming another major honour, but need a new-look squad to start delivering on its potential.