U.S. women face Mexico in final test before World Cup

By Jamie Trecker SportsTicker Contributing Editor

SAN JOSE, California (Ticker) - The United States plays Mexico on Sunday at Spartan Stadium in its final match before the Women's World Cup.

With just 17 days to go before the U.S. opens group play against Sweden at RFK Stadium in Washington, coach April Heinrichs is looking to cement a roster that blends players from the 1999 tournament with players with as few as a single cap.

In their last outing, the Americans whipped up on Costa Rica, with that single cap player - Shannon Boxx - scoring a goal in her debut.

"I was pleasantly surprised," Heinrichs said after the match. "We look very creative."

The U.S. has defeated Mexico eight times, most recently a 3-0 win in the opening match of the 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup in Pasadena, California.

Mexico's best chance at defeating its neighbors was December 2000, when the Tricolores took a 2-1 lead in Houston before Cindy Parlow scored twice to give the U.S. a 3-2 victory.

Boasting two WUSA players in defender Monica Gonzales of the Boston Breakers and forward Maribel Dominguez of the Atlanta Beat, Mexico is coming off a failed run to the Women's World Cup, losing to Japan in a two-game playoff series for the final spot in the tournament.

College soccer fans also will recognize Iris Mora, a star forward at UCLA.

© 2003 SportsTicker Enterprises, LP