Amy Rodriguez, Shannon Boxx, Lauren Cheney Give USA 3-0 Win over Mexico

Fresh off a successful Algarve Cup campaign, the USA women's national team returned to action with the first of two international friendlies against Mexico.

Goals by Amy Rodriguez, Shannon Boxx, and Lauren Cheney were all Pia Sundhage's side needed in a 3-0 shutout at San Diego's Torero Stadium.

“The game today showed that we need to change the point of attack more often and be more dangerous," said USA head coach Pia Sundhage after the match. "I think we did a better job in the second half. We made a change in the second half and I thought when we had Lori Lindsey in the midfield and Cheney keeping the ball up top that gave us options."

Sundhage went on to say "That’s good and fun to coach because I have different qualities on the bench that can bring out something different on the field.”

Rodriguez (Philadelphia Independence) began the proceedings in the 12th minute, ending her dry spell date back to 2008 with a finish off an entry ball by Heather O'Reilly (NY/NJ Sky Blue FC) that eluded Mexican goalkeeper Pamela Tajonar.

Tajonar herself would be on her toes for the bulk of the contest, as the USA easily outshot their southern rivals 21-2 while preventing any shots on goal towards St. Louis Athletica's Hope Solo.

Boston's Amy LePeilbet was named Woman of the Match for her efforts in stopping the attacking front of Leonardo Cuellar's club.

Shannon Boxx (St. Louis Athletica) made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute thanks to a Cat Whitehill volley and a blunder by Tajonar in clearing the ball. Her tap-in from the spot was the 21st of her international career.

Boxx also tallied an assist in the 72nd minute. This time it was Lauren Cheney (Boston Breakers) who took advantage of Mexico's miscues as her shot inside the penalty box sailed off of Tajonar's hands and into the net.

The match marked the return of legendary veteran Kristine Lilly (Boston Breakers), who earned her 343rd cap as a member of the women's national team. Lilly has also played in five FIFA Women's World Cups to go with 129 goals to her credit.

“It’s nice to have her with this new team," Sundhage said on her return. "Of course she has to adjust her game a little bit, but what we are looking for is to keep the ball—and she showed that last year in the WPS—experience and reading the game."

"We will keep an eye on her because she has so much experience, and we need good players.”

Lilly herself was all smiles on the progress of the WNT this year.

“This is my first game with them and they are running," Lilly said. "I saw some highlights against Germany in Portugal and the midfielders go through so that not only makes it really dangerous for the other teams, but also so fun to play.”

The USA is now 5-0-0 this year. Unbeaten in 42 straight matches, they will look to continue the run at Rio Tinto Stadium against Mexico on Wednesday, March 31. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. MT and will be televised live on ESPN2.

Match: U.S. Women’s National Team vs. Mexico

Date: March 28, 2010
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Torero Stadium; San Diego, Calif.
Kickoff: 2 p.m. PT
Attendance: 3,069
Weather: Sunny, light breeze – 79 degrees

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 2 1 3
MEX 0 0 0

USA – Amy Rodriguez (Heather O’Reilly) 12th minute
USA – Shannon Boxx 43
USA – Lauren Cheney (Shannon Boxx) 72.

Lineups:
USA: 1-Hope Solo; 4-Cat Whitehill, 26-Rachel Buehler, 6-Amy LePeilbet, 17-Meghan Schnur (14-Stephanie Cox, 77); 9-Heather O’Reilly (19-Kelley O’Hara, 63), 7-Shannon Boxx (Capt.), 10-Carli Lloyd (5-Lori Lindsey, 46), 12-Yael Averbuch (13-Kristine Lilly, 32), 8-Amy Rodriguez (11-Lauren Cheney, 46); 20-Abby Wambach
Subs not used: 18-Nicole Barnhart, 21-Alex Morgan.
Head Coach: Pia Sundhage

MEX: 12-Pamela Tajonar; 2-Leticia Villalpando, 22-Alina Garciamendez, 4-Marylin Diaz, 15-Luz Saucedo (6-Monica Vergara, 78); 8-Lupita Worbis (Capt.) (18-Natalie Vinti, 84), 11-Nayeli Rangel (16-Renae Cuellar, 46), 20-Lili Godoy (9-Monica Ocampo, 38); 10-Maribel Dominguez (5-Maria Castillo, 58), 17-Veronica Perez, 19-Dinora Garza (21-Kaylie Garcia, 80).
Subs not used: 1-Erika Vanegas, 3-Rubi Sandoval, 7-Evelyn Lopez, 13-Lulu Gordillo.
Head Coach: Leo Cuellar

Statistical Summary: USA / MEX
Shots: 21 / 2
Shots on Goal: 10 / 0
Saves: 0 / 6
Corner Kicks: 8 / 2
Fouls: 7 / 8
Offside: 9 / 1

Misconduct Summary:
USA – Abby Wambach (caution) 71st minute

Officials:
Referee: Kari Seitz (USA)
Asst. Referee: Marlene Duffy (USA)
Asst. Referee: Shelley Finger (USA)
Fourth Official: Felisha Mariscal (USA)

ussoccer.com Woman of the Match:
Amy LePeilbet

US Soccer contributed to this report.