The United States played Colombia at BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, in the fourth and final quarter-final of the inaugural Women’s Gold Cup.
A rivalry is now fully formed between the two sides, which was clear. There were little scraps from the beginning of the game, and by the 13th minute, the USA was awarded a penalty. Alex Morgan had to hold onto the ball at the penalty spot amongst crowding by the Colombian players. It took several minutes for the ref to calm down the Colombian players enough for Morgan to give Lindsay Horan the ball to take the kick. Horan managed to slot the ball into the goal with her typical precision.
Alex Morgan y Catalina Usme durante el Colombia – USA 🔥
pic.twitter.com/GQlqhyzuVr— Marisella Joya Jauregui ⚽️💃🏾 (@marisella_joya) March 4, 2024
The skirmishes continued for the rest of the first half. In the 22nd minute, Jenna Nighswonger slotted in another goal. Tensions remained high, but the USA was the team that did the better job of keeping cool heads. Colombia had some excellent chances, including one that forced Alyssa Naeher to make an incredible one-handed save.
Two minutes into the stoppage time in the first half, a brilliant ball from Emily Fox to Trinity Rodman was crossed in front of goal, and Jayden Shaw was able to give the USA their third goal.
The second half had much less tension and drama, and the USA kept a clean sheet and didn’t add to their goals. Colombia had 54% of the possession but could not turn that into more than three shots on target.
The USA mixed their younger talent and veterans in a way that resembled what we have come to expect from the USWNT but haven’t seen in a while. Coming off a 0-2 defeat to Mexico in the last group game, the US came to show everyone that while still rebuilding, they will return.
Can the USWNT go all the way?
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