The U.S. U20 Women’s National Team defeated Mexico 2-1 on Friday in the quarterfinals of the 2016 U20 Women’s World Cup. The USA used late goals from second half substitutes Ally Watt and Kelcie Hedge to claim the win and advance to the semifinal on Tuesday against Korea DPR. 

Mexico scored in the 66th minute on a free kick goal from Maria Sanchez, her first goal of the tournament. Mexico had another chance moments later to go up 2-0 but Jackie Crowther could not get a shot from seven yards out on frame and the USA dodged a bullet, which proved to be a major turning point in the game. 

The equalizer came from Watt on a disjointed play. Mallory Pugh hit a ball long to the left channel that was intercepted by a Mexico defender, but USA won the ball back quickly. Watt ended up with the ball after Ashley Sanchez slipped her in on goal with a perfectly weighted pass. Watt calmly tucked the ball into the back of the net. 

USA grabbed the game-winner in stoppage time when Pugh won the ball near midfield and hit Mexico in transition. Sanchez was again in the midst of the build-up. The So Cal Blues forward beat her mark and then served the ball into the 18-yard box. Pugh dummied the pass for Hedge who tucked it in at the far post. It was incredible awareness and composure from Pugh, which perhaps should be expected of a player who is a regular starter with the Women’s National Team. 

The two late goals erased an incredible effort from Mexico, which finished the game with 15 shots compared to only four from the USA. Mexico had the longer passing sequences and looked like the more dangerous team throughout the game. However, USA had Mallory Pugh and Ashley Sanchez and that was enough to carry USA past their CONCACAF rivals on the day. 

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