USWNT defeats Colombia 3 0 in a grueling match to advance

USWNT defeats Colombia 3-0 in a grueling match to advance to the Gold Cup semifinals

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The U.S. women's national team survived a tough test against Colombia in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF W Gold Cup on Sunday, winning 3-0 with goals from Lindsey Horan, Jenna Nighswonger and Jaedyn Shaw.

While both teams tried to make their mark early, the USWNT was able to weather both Colombia's attacks, which often relied solely on Linda Caicedo, and a bevy of yellow cards due to physical challenges. The result was also further proof that Naomi Girma and Shaw are indispensable USWNT starters.

The early penalty sets the tone

In the 11th minute, Colombian center back Jorelyn Carabali shoulder-checked Alex Morgan, resulting in a penalty for the United States and a yellow card for Carabali. The foul was just the beginning of the acrimony. If nothing else, it was a reminder that Morgan has been putting her body on the line for this team for a long time.

Morgan won the ball in the penalty area and withstood most of Colombia's attempts to delay the penalty for two minutes before Trinity Rodman and Sam Coffey also headed over the goal.

The USWNT favored the usual handoff for this. When Horan got the ball from Morgan, there was a last-ditch attempt by Colombia to deflect the PK a bit (which didn't result in a card). Horan neatly converted the penalty to give the USWNT a 1-0 lead, a big moment from the team captain that set the tone Sunday night in Los Angeles. It also provided some buffering effect from what would happen in the next phase of the game.

Mind games

The USA responded to the penalty chaos with its own brand of mind games, with intense counter-pressing high up the pitch and forced turnovers around the penalty area, perhaps trying to exploit the moment tactically and emotionally.

Morgan received a yellow card in the 18th minute for some posturing in the Colombian penalty area, and Rodman followed suit in the 20th minute when she had some pithy words after defending vigorously. Horan could be seen trying to assert herself between the rival players; Given that there had already been four yellow cards and the referee had a tendency to overlook or simply not acknowledge calls, it was her job to make sure everyone stayed in the loop. Horan herself received a yellow card in the 67th minute for lifting her leg into the path of a player who had just pushed her to the ground.

Honestly, it was the kind of tension that could have been sparked by midfielder Emily Sonnett getting a yellow card from Colombia. If the ability to troll other teams was the only consideration, Sonnett would be an undisputed starter.

Jenna Nighswonger's goal in the 22nd minute calmed the situation, but it remained a highly contentious and competitive game. It was a tough test of the team's ability to prevail against an opponent who could not only provoke them, but also had the technical ability to immediately punish any mistake. In particular, Shaw's sharp, upstanding reaction to the third goal was a fantastic example of the kind of ruthless mentality that can help propel this team forward.

US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher noted the mental aspect when asked what she thought stood out for the team: “I think just the intensity that we started with from the first minute until the 90th minute.” , she said.

Nighswonger goal, press and reward

Since the Tokyo Olympics, many have been waiting for the next wave of young players to have the chance to establish themselves in the USWNT scene. That process may not have happened quickly enough to improve the team's chances at last summer's World Cup, but Sunday's lineup tested many of those emerging talents in a knockout game of the tournament.

Shaw was dangerous throughout the first half with her defense at the forefront and had a very well struck shot fly just over the crossbar in the first 20 minutes. On the right wing, Rodman realized what was at stake and alerted Colombia to their presence. However, it was a veteran pass from Morgan that gave Nighswonger her second international goal for the senior team.

Last year was a banner year for Nighswonger as he was named NWSL Rookie of the Year as part of Gotham's quest for the NWSL title. She has already provided some highlights in her post game, including her first international goal from a penalty against the Dominican Republic in the group stage. Sunday gave her a chance to score as the game progressed as she crashed into the box perfectly, glided onto Morgan's header and fired a shot past the far post and into the net.

The USWNT's youth and determination contributed to Colombia's inability to regain its footing as it relied on its nimble defense. Rather than unsettling the U.S., the constant attempts to play mind games seemed to ignite the more productive spark in the team's younger players. This proved particularly important in stifling Colombia's build-up from defense and forcing their opponents to make careless touches and rushed passes that led to promising turnovers.

It was the kind of drive that seemed so often missing from this team in the final two years of Vlatko Andonovski's tenure.

Shaw shines again

Ahead of this summer's Olympics, future U.S. coach Emma Hayes will have to make one of the most important decisions: which players from a promising group of forwards will make the trip to Paris. Some appear stuck, while others depend on form and health: a seemingly revitalized Morgan and a returning Mallory Swanson. Gotham duo Lynn Williams and Midge Purce will also have a lot to say about the recording.

Don't forget to include San Diego Wave's Shaw among the candidates. In truth, she may be closer to joining the “sure things” group than some estimate.

As the winner of US Soccer's Young Player of the Year award in 2022, Shaw was nothing short of electrifying in San Diego. Having just turned 19 in November, she was omnipresent in all phases on Sunday as the starting player on the left wing. Their pressing did much to unsettle the Colombia defense, while their synchronized movement with Morgan and Rodman was rewarded with a well-placed finish at the end of the first half.

Of particular benefit to her Olympic performances is her versatility, being able to play on both wings as well as in a central attacking midfield role. The latter could be useful depending on the health of Catarina Macario and Rose Lavelle at the start of the summer, especially after a lackluster shift from Korbin Albert on Sunday. Each fan will have their own hierarchy of preferences, but the totality of Shaw's game would make her a major snub if she were to miss the Olympic squad.

Naeher's impulse swing

In her 100th appearance in the United States, Naeher made two huge saves that helped the team keep a clean sheet against Colombia, but more importantly, they helped calm the rest of her team and provided an emotional boost.

While the first (above) was already an impressive reminder of Naeher's skills, Ilana Izquierda's second shot required a diving save to cover the far corner of the goal.

We've seen both Naeher and Casey Murphy play for the USWNT so far in this tournament, but on Sunday night Naeher reminded everyone of her shot-stopping abilities. She had other aggressive moments and was willing to play outside the box to eliminate individual Colombia runners as well. With the team heading into Wednesday's semifinal against Canada, it could be difficult to return to a scheduled rotation at the goalie position to maintain Naeher's momentum for the remainder of the Gold Cup.

(Photo: Brad Smith/Getty Images for USSF))