CARSON — First it was Olivia Moultrie and on Friday night it was Jaedyn Shaw’s turn.
Moultrie, 18, scored two goals in the U.S. women’s national team’s rout of the Dominican Republic in their CONCACAF Gold Cup opener on Tuesday night.
Shaw, 19, scored in the 10th and 17th minutes in a 4-0 victory over Argentina 72 hours later in front of 8,315 at Dignity Health Sports Park to keep the Americans (2-0, six points) perfect in Group A play. With the win, the United States officially secured a spot in the knockout round of the 12-team tournament.
“Argentina is a very tough team to play,” interim U.S. coach Twila Kilgore said. “I feel like we left a lot on the table. I’m confident that we will grow as the tournament goes on.
“I feel like we did an excellent job shutting down their outlets.”
The teenagers also made some history, becoming the first pair of teenagers to score multiple goals in back-to-back games. It was also Shaw’s first career multi-goal game.
“Super happy for Jaedyn, we saw her be impactful in a lot of ways,” Kilgore said. “I thought she had a very complete performance.”
Mexico had briefly moved to the top of the group following its victory over the Dominicans in the first game of the doubleheader.
Casey Murphy got the start in goal for the Americans. She is coming off of a perfect run (no goals allowed in six starts) in international competition last year.
“Anytime I get to come into (national team camp) and represent the USA, it’s an honor,” Murphy said.
Argentina (0-1-1, one point) put Murphy to work as Mariana Larroquette, who plays for the NWSL’s Orlando Pride, attempted an audacious chip from 40 yards out that hit the crossbar and had Murphy sprawling for an attempted save.
After Shaw’s first goal, Larroquette scored what should have been the equalizer off of a free kick, but she was ruled to have been offside.
That was the break that the U.S. needed. Shaw found her second in the 17th minute and Alex Morgan followed with a looping header in the 19th minute for a 3-0 lead that the Americans would take into halftime.
Morgan’s goal was the 123rd of her career and the first time she has scored in back-to-back games since 2022.
The rest of the game settled into a physical one with few chances in the second half. However, the United States added a goal in the second half when Lindsey Horan converted a penalty kick.
Argentina’s Miriam Mayorga was awarded a red card for a hand ball, leading to Horan’s penalty attempt.
Horan scored a second goal moments later but it was wiped off due to an offside call.
Mexico (1-0-1, four points) bounced back from its scoreless draw against Argentina in the opener with an 8-0 rout of the Dominican Republic (0-2, 0 points). Seven different players scored for Mexico, led by Lizabeth Ovalle, who had a pair.
The group stage concludes Monday, also at DHSP, with the Americans facing Mexico (7:15 p.m.) preceded by Argentina and the Dominican Republic (4:30 p.m.). The Mexico and USWNT game will decided the winner of the group.
“Mexico is hard-working, organized,” Kilgore said. “I expect they will make changes and will do what’s best for their team and we will do what’s best for our team.”
Argentina earned its point against Mexico and will be favored to defeat the Dominicans.
“It’s important to capitalize on every moment that we have,” Kilgore said. “We believe that we can do all things together.”