This Friday, February 23, 2024, the USWNT played their second game in the CONCACAF W Gold Cup against Argentina at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

The U.S. was the heavy favorite heading into this match, and they showed that on the pitch with a massive 4-0 win in front of over eight thousand spectators.

There were three San Diego Wave players in the starting lineup for the USWNT, as Alex Morgan, Naomi Girma, and Jaedyn Shaw all received the start in this match. Abby Dahlkemper was sidelined for this match along with Becky Sauerbrunn, who had also started the first match against the Dominican Republic. Gotham’s Tierna Davidson was the starting ccenter-backalongside Naomi Girma for this match against an intriguing Argentine side.

Argentina had done well in their opening game against Mexico, which ended in a scoreless deadlock but collapsed against a much tougher opponent this time around. Just 10 minutes into the match, Jaedyn Shaw opened the scoring on the night with her first goal of the tournament with her first start in it as well.

SHARP SHOOTER SHAW 🫡 pic.twitter.com/Rzzy6dNAGU

— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) February 24, 2024

Lindsey Horan was fouled on the left flank and took the free-kick from the foul in lightning-quick speed to pass the ball to Jaedyn Shaw, who released a very well-located shot to find the back of the net with virtually no scoring angle to work with. The 19-year-old San Diego Wave star quickly scored her second goal after that in the 17th minute when a perfect cross by Rose Lavelle found Shaw inside of the penalty area.

This was Shaw’s first brace with the USWNT, as she progressively keeps stacking up more international minutes for the United States. Shaw was not the only San Diego wave player to score on the night, as Alex Morgan scored her 123rd career USWNT goal in the 19th minute of the match. A cross by veteran Casey Krueger found Alex Morgan inside of the penalty area, who leaped high to head the ball into the back of the net.

This was Alex Morgan’s 123rd with the USWNT. pic.twitter.com/MKf73sJLY9

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) February 24, 2024

This was Morgan’s second goal of the tournament in just 68 minutes played, as her veteran presence and goalscoring ability has proven its great worth early on in this W Gold Cup for the U.S. Before this tournament, the San Diego Wave superstar had not scored for the USWNT since February 22, 2023, as these goals were very important after this drought.

The first half ended 3-0 in the USWNT’s favor, as they were the only side truly in the game and were clearly going to walk away with the three points. Sophia Smith replaced Alex Morgan and Emily Sonnett came on for Korbin Albert at halftime with the U.S. already having a very comfortable time.

The last goal of the night came in the 77th minute when Lindsey Horan scored a penalty to get her first goal in this tournament. The penalty was awarded thanks to a handball and red card inside of the box by Argentina’s Miriam Mayorga. After the goal, with Argentina down to 10 players, the intensity of the game lowered more than it already had at the beginning of the second half.

Jaedyn Shaw played 78 minutes in this match, while Naomi Girma played the full 90 minutes, although her and the U.S. backline were not required much in this match. The United States took a very comfortable 4-0 result from this game and will be looking to top this group in their final game of the group on February 26 against Mexico.

W Gold Cup games will resume at Snapdragon Stadium this Saturday, February 24, when Puerto Rico plays Panama and Brazil faces Colombia to potentially see what team will top Group B of the competition.

Francisco Velasco

Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.