Former Florida Soccer standout Mayra Pelayo scores banger for Mexico to sink USWNT

While you were probably sleeping last night, the USWNT suffered a 2-0 defeat to Mexico in the Gold Cup. There were a multitude of reasons for the defeat and most would agree that Mexico took it to the United States and the victory was deserved.

And at the center of the victory for Mexico was a former Florida Soccer standout that has the internet buzzing after her goal to clinch the victory.

Florida Soccer: Home Grown

Mayra Pelayo played for Florida from 2015 through 2018. Out of West Palm Beach, Pelayo attended The Benjamin School and was a member of the USWNT U15 and U17 teams as a youth player.

During her career with Florida, she scored ten goals as a midfielder and led the team in assists during the 2018 campaign and was on the 2015 All-SEC Freshman team.

Along the way, Pelayo opted to make Mexico her national team, and she plays her professional soccer in Tijuana.

Last night, Pelayo scored a goal that will be on her highlight reel forever.

We could do a deep dive as to why the USWNT has come back to Earth, and it goes well beyond the lazy "woke" takes your uncle, who doesn't even watch soccer and probably still thinks Pele is alive, likes to make. Among real factors, a culture of nepotism that didn't allow up-and-coming players to breakthrough made them go searching for other opportunities.

Pelayo is a homegrown product and a proud Florida Gator who opted to play elsewhere and is emblematic of the fact that other national teams around the world are starting to catch up in talent with the US.

It's also a reminder of what Florida's soccer program used to be and where it is trying to get back to after being a once dominate power in the SEC.