Mewis scores late as U.S. women top Mexico – Herald Democrat

The Associated Press

MONTERREY, Mexico — Kristie Mewis scored in the 89th minute to break a stalemate and the United States beat Mexico, 1-0, at the CONCACAF Women’s Championship.

The U.S. won Group A in the eightteam tournament and will face Costa Rica in the semifinals on Thursday. The Americans had already qualified for the 2023 Women’s World Cup as one of the top two teams in their group.

Mexico’s Lizbeth Ovalle was sent off with a red card for a foul on Rose Lavelle in the 73rd minute. The United States appeared offside on Mewis’ goal, but it was not reviewed.

While Mexico was stout on defense against the top-ranked United States, the hosts were eliminated from qualifying for next summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Jamaica beat Haiti, 4-0, to qualify for its second straight World Cup and advance to a semifinal match against Canada. Bunny Shaw had a pair of goals, and Trudi Carter and Drew Spence also scored for the Reggae Girlz.

Haiti finished third in Group A but will have a chance to make the World Cup when it plays in an intercontinental playoff in February in New Zealand.

Canada beat Costa Rica, 2-0, to win Group B. Both teams had previously qualified for the World Cup as the top two finishers in their group.

Jessie Fleming scored in the fifth minute and Sophie Schmidt added a goal in the 69th for the Canadians, who have not conceded a goal in the tournament.

Panama beat Trinidad and Tobago, 1-0, to secure third place in Group B and a spot in the intercontinental playoff for another chance to make the World Cup field. Marta Cox scored for Panama just before halftime.

The winner of the eight-team Women’s Championship will earn one of the region’s spots in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Canada won the gold medal at the Tokyo Games.

Rooney agrees to coach DC United

Wayne Rooney has agreed to coach D.C. United in Major League Soccer.

The longtime English soccer star played for the MLS club in 2018 and 2019. Once visa paperwork is complete, Rooney is set to replace interim coach Chad Ashton, who replaced Hernan Losada earlier this season.

D.C. United is tied with Chicago for the fewest points in the 28-team league with a record of 5-10-2. United lost 7-0 on Friday night at the Philadelphia Union, matching the MLS record for largest margin of defeat.

Rooney, 36, starred for Manchester in the English Premier League from 2004-17 and is the leading goal-scorer in the history of the English national team.

Rooney resigned as English club Derby’s manager last month after 18 months in charge. His reunion with D.C. United was first reported by The Washington Post.

U.S. midfielder de la Torre joins Celta Vigo

MADRID — United States midfielder Luca de la Torre has agreed to join Celta Vigo in the Spanish league, the club said.

Celta said de la Torre will sign a four-year deal with the club based in northwest Spain.

He arrives from Dutch club Heracles Almelo, where he made 64 appearances in the Eredivisie over two seasons. He played for Fulham from 2016-20, making only occasional appearances.

The 24-year-old De la Torre has made 11 appearances for the U.S. national team, including two starts and two substitute appearances during World Cup qualifying

Born in San Diego, De la Torre holds a Spanish passport thanks his Spanish father.

He will join a Celta team that finished 11th in the Spanish league last season. Coached by Argentine Eduardo Coudet, Celta likes to play on the attack and relies on the goals of striker Iago Aspas.

De la Torre will be Celta’s second American player ever after Guiseppe Rossi in 2016-2017.

Celta did not release any financial details of the signing.

Atlanta United loans Wolff to Beveren

ATLANTA — Atlanta midfielder Tyler Wolff, a son of Austin FC coach Josh Wolff, was loaned by the Major League Soccer club to Beveren of Belgium’s second tier for the 2022- 23 season.

Wolff, 19, signed with Atlanta in July 2020 and made 17 league appearances. He was part of the U.S. under-20 team that qualified for the 2024 men’s Olympic soccer tournament.

Josh Wolff has been Austin FC’s coach since the team started play in MLS last year. He scored nine goals in 52 international appearances and was on the U.S. team at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.