Alex Morgan scored twice, and Mallory Pugh and Carli Lloyd scored as well in a 4-1 win for the USWNT.
The U.S. women's national team beat Mexico 4–1 in an international friendly on Thursday in Jacksonville, using a second-half burst to blow open the first of two matches the border rivals have slated this week.
Mallory Pugh got the scoring started with a Megan Rapinoe assist. Alex Morgan threaded a through-ball to Rapinoe who rolled it across the box to Pugh who scored for the 1–0 lead.
Solid buildup play? ✅
— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) April 5, 2018
Rapinoe assist? ✅
Mal Pugh with her 4th goal of the year? ✅#USWNT up 1-0 #USAvMEX pic.twitter.com/QwjDfXEuxo
It was Pugh's fourth goal of the year.
Then within a span of less than five minutes around the 50 minute mark, the United States scored three goals to take a 4–0 lead.
Morgan drew a penalty and then doubled the U.S. lead.
Alex Morgan draws the penalty and doubles the #USWNT lead #UsavMEX pic.twitter.com/SAebEZCW7t
— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) April 6, 2018
Morgan scored once again not too long after, tucking a perfectly placed shot inside the far post to give the USA more breathing room.
The flood gates have opened! #USAvMEX pic.twitter.com/sDcTF6ImBC
— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) April 6, 2018
Carli Lloyd got in the scoring with a goal a minute later that sees her one goal short of hitting 100 for her storied international career.
ANOTHA ONE! #USAvMEX pic.twitter.com/kbpj6DH28f
— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) April 6, 2018
Mexico got on the board in the 64th minute, capitalizing after a poorly executed USA goal kick for a consolation strike.
Mexico pulls one back after a bad #USWNT goal kick #USAvMEX pic.twitter.com/iYIfpgQg83
— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) April 6, 2018
The two teams will meet again Sunday in Houston, continuing the road to the 2019 Women's World Cup in France.