CARSON, California – The last matchday of Group A is here, with everything to play for with the last tickets to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, on Monday evening.
Argentina vs. Dominican Republic
The fight to get their first victory of the W Gold Cup is on for Argentina and the Dominican Republic, who face each other for the first time in their last matchday of Group A.
Argentina knows what it means to face Concacaf teams. Besides their last match against the United States, they have shared a pitch with Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica and other six National Teams in their history.
La Albiceleste hasn’t been able to score in their last games, accumulating 450 minutes in overall competitions without scoring a goal. The last time they saw the back of the net was at the 2023 Pan American Games against Bolivia.
However, in this W Gold Cup, their players have shown nothing but courage and commitment. FW Mariana Larroquette almost scored their first goal in the 4-0 loss to the US, her shot hitting the crossbar. GK Laurina Oliveros has taken over the position with authority, making eight saves and 12 clearances on Friday, while also stopping a clear goal-scoring chance against Mexico in the 0-0 opener.
Although this is their first time facing Argentina, the Dominican Republic have faced CONMEBOL teams before, winning and drawing in two games against Bolivia in 2021.
They had a great run in the Road To W Gold Cup, registering six clean sheets in their last 10 games before conceding against the United States and Mexico.
They keep showing the growth of their program in players like KW Kathrynn González, who has shot on goal in two occasions, while being the author of the only goal in the Prelims match against Guyana.
GK Paloma Peña has been a star and a key piece for the Quisqueyanas as well, making eight saves so far in the tournament, three key ones against Mexico, and five clearances in all her games in Group A.
USA vs. Mexico
The USWNT has clinched their ticket to the Quarterfinals after two wins, and now face second-place Mexico in their final matchday in Group A.
The United States is the first team to qualify for the Quarterfinals! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Eigc3qbfde
— W Gold Cup (@GoldCup) February 24, 2024
Historically, this will be the 43th time they take the pitch, the US having an overall record of 40W-1D-1L, and a 7W-0D-1L record in Concacaf tournaments history.
The only victory for El Tricolor happened back in 2010, a 2-1 win in the semifinals of the Concacaf W Championship in Cancun, Mexico.
The USWNT have shown why they hold the CWC title, and why they want to be the first W Gold Cup champions. New faces have made the list of goal scorers. FW Jaedyn Shaw had a brace against Argentina, as well as FW Olivia Moultrie against Dominican Republic, making them the youngest players to score in back-to-back games.
Experienced players keep stepping up for the Stars and Stripes, with MF and captain Lindsey Horan also scoring a goal, and legendary FW Alex Morgan still changing the game, having scored two different times in the tournament.
Mexico arrives to their final match with one draw against Argentina and an 8-0 win against the Dominican Republic to get their first three points of the W Gold Cup.
Stars who shined at the 2023 Pan American Games and Road To W Gold Cup showed up to give Mexico their first win. FW and POTM Jaqueline Ovalle scored two goals, captain Rebeca Bernal redeemed herself after missing a penalty in the first game with an important header.
DF Karen Luna, who made her first appearance with Mexico against Argentina, scored her first goal with a header, showing versatility in both the offensive and defensive line.
