Tim Nwachukwu via Getty Images
SANDY, Utah—The United States women’s national soccer team defeated Colombia by a final score of 2-0 at the Rio Tinto Stadium on Tuesday.
It was the team’s second victory in the last two weeks against Colombia. Their last win was on Saturday in Commerce City, Colorado by a 3-0 score.
This was the United States’ final game before they compete in the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s Championships. They have yet to lose a game in the 2022 calendar year.
United States attacked early
Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski assigned his players to a 4-3-3 formation to start the game.
His team slammed their feet on the gas pedal right from the opening kickoff, keeping Colombia’s defense on its toes. The U.S. played in an attacking style that relied heavily on combination passing.
Despite keeping possession in Colombia’s half for the majority of the first 20 minutes, the United States was unable to create a quality opportunity to score a goal.
Colombia’s Manuela Vanegas scores—for the U.S.
In the 22nd minute of action with the U.S.A. on the attack once again, Sofia Huerta was placed in a cross from the right side of the field. Her pass was intended for Megan Rapinoe, but it was deflected by Colombia defender Manuela Vanegas. She was trying to clear the ball with a header.
But that deflection found its way past goalkeeper Catalina Pérez and into the Colombia net. It was determined to be an own goal by Vanegas and the United States took a 1-0 lead.
Purce and Morgan create opportunities
American forward Margaret Purce had a couple of opportunities to double the lead for the U.S., but neither of her attempts ended successfully.
In the 32nd minute, Carson Pickett placed a perfect cross from the far side of the field. It was right to the head of Purce. But she mishit the ball with the top of her head and it sailed above the Colombia goal.
Purce created her own opportunity at goal just four minutes later. She was able to maneuver past defender Lorena Bedoya Durango and had the space to attempt a left-footed shot, which she did. It curved just wide of the goal, but the U.S. still had its 1-0 lead.
Forward Alex Morgan also had a glorious chance to double the team’s lead.
In the closing moments of the first half, Huerta placed another perfect cross right into the penalty area for the trailing Morgan. She was able to hit Huerta’s cross with her left foot, but the attempt was parried off the top of the crossbar.
That was the United States’ best opportunity to score in the entire half. Nonetheless, Andonovski and his team headed for the locker room with a 1-0 lead at the intermission.
Second-half struggles
The United States picked up from where they left off in the first half after the break. They continued to apply heavy pressure on Colombia’s defense.
But just like the first half, they were still unable to cash in from their efforts.
In the first 30 minutes of the second half complete, the U.S. had four shot attempts at goal, but none were on target.
Colombia also began to gain some momentum of its own. In the 55th minute, forward Leicy Santos found herself in range of the American goal and laced an attempt with her right foot. U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was forced to make her first big save of the night, deflecting the ball out of bounce for a Colombia corner.
Lightning delay does the trick
In the 75th minute of action, a lightning strike was detected close to the Rio Tinto Stadium. As a result, the game was delayed. Heavy rain came down on the stadium and fans took shelter. Both teams retreated to their respective locker rooms to wait out the storm.
The delay lasted for about an hour before the players on each side were able to come back out on the field to finish the final 15 minutes of the game. For the United States, the wait was exactly what they needed.
Just two minutes back into play, the U.S. was once again on the attack. Midfielder Ashley Sanchez lifted up a cross towards Trinity Rodman, who headed a ball that was deflected by the Colombia defense.
For Colombia, it was another costly deflection as the ball found its way to the right foot of veteran defender Kelley O’Hara, who smashed the ball directly into the bottom left side corner of the net.
The United States took a commanding 2-0 lead. Rio Tinto Stadium erupted in jubilation. It was O’Hara’s first international goal since February of 2016.
Three minutes of stoppage time were added to the end of the game. But it was too little, too late for Colombia. The United States got the 2-0 victory and its sixth win of 2022.
Finding their “footing”
Although the United States gained some momentum after the lightning delay, Andonovski and his team know there is much work to be done.
The U.S. had 18 shots at goal in Tuesday’s matchup—three times as many as Colombia. But only five of those 18 attempts were on target. They also controlled possession 65% of the time in the game, one reason they were able to create so many shot attempts.
The two goals the United States scored were the lowest they have scored in a win so far in 2022. It will be critical for the team to capitalize on their opportunities at a more consistent rate, especially now that they are heading into high-stakes matches.
Those include games in the CONCACAF Women’s Championships and qualifying matchups for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Upcoming schedule
The United States women’s national soccer team will face Haiti on Monday in the final round of the CONCACAF Women’s Championships. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.
They continue the round on July 7 when they take on Jamaica and again on July 10 against Mexico.
