Pre-Match Notes: After two international wins against South Africa, the U.S. Women’s National Team is back, this time to face the World Cup Underdogs, Colombia, who made it all the way to the World Cup Quarterfinals, where they were ultimately knocked out by England.

Colombia, from what I’ve seen in the World Cup, is a fairly physical team. They’re not afraid to challenge opposing teams. I can see Colombia putting pressure on the US players, battling for possession, and going for 2v1’s, especially in the midfield. It will be interesting to see how the US will manage Colombia’s pressure along with the added physicality.

At the same time, Colombia is a quick-moving team, and is quick when it comes to transitions and counterattacks. This is something the US needs to watch out for. Colombia is not averse to allowing opposing teams to attack their goal or allowing them to have the most possession. Instead, Colombia will, at times, opt for being patient and waiting for the right moments to strike and launch their counterattack. I’m looking forward to seeing how the US will respond to Colombia’s transitions and counterattacks, because it will give us a look into how the midfield and backline will defend against quick moving teams.

When it comes to the US, midfield control and defense are going to be key factors, as well as key areas of focus. However, breaking through Colombia’s backline and defense is also going to be important for this US team. Colombia’s backline and defense can hold up under intense pressure. We need to see more connection in the attack and in the box, more services and crosses, and better finishing from the US.

Thankfully, in the friendlies against South Africa, it appears as though the US and Twila Kilgore are on the right track when it comes to rebuilding the team’s attacking chemistry. This will still take some time, but we’ll be able to see more of that development in these friendlies against Colombia, along with areas that may need improvement.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Alyssa Naeher in the goal. For defenders, Alana Cook, Naomi Girma, Crystal Dunn, and Emily Fox. In the midfield, Lindsay Horan, Andi Sullivan, and Emily Sonnett. For forwards Lynn Williams, Trinity Rodman, and Alex Morgan.

Substitutes: Sofia Huerta, Becky Sauerbrunn, Ashley Hatch, Alyssa Thompson, Sophia Smith, M.A. Vignola, Midge Purce, Casey Krueger, Aubrey Kingsbury, Savannah DeMelo, Jaedyn Shaw, Sam Coffey.

Not Dressing: Mia Fishel, Olivia Moultrie, Casey Murphy, Ashley Sanchez.

It’s a good starting eleven. I was kind of hoping to see Casey Krueger start alongside Crystal Dunn because I thought they were both extremely dangerous coming up the wings in the friendlies against South Africa. At the same time, I can also see Fox being able to get some crosses and services off as well. Obviously, defending is still going to be essential. Colombia has some dangerous attacking players, and the US defenders need to watch out for them and not take them lightly.

When it comes to the midfield, there’s good support and control with Sonnett, Horan, and Sullivan. However, I’m wondering if they will be able to withstand Colombia’s physicality. Colombia is an aggressive team and they will try to double up and fight for control and possession. We do have a chance of seeing DeMelo and Coffey in the second half, and I’m interested to see how they handle Colombia’s pressure in the midfield.

When it comes to the attack, no issues there with Williams, Morgan, and Rodman. The main thing I want to see from the US attack is attacking chemistry: a good connection in the attack, in the box, and finishing. I also want to see the team as a whole continuing to develop their chemistry. Overall, it’s going to be an interesting and fun match.

First Half Notes

USWNT 0-0.

Not good. The US had a goal opportunity in the form of a penalty kick, but Morgan wasn’t able to convert. There’s not enough control and possession in the US midfield, and because of that, the US hasn’t been able to create chances for the attack. At the same time, the US needs to work on playing under pressure.

So far in this first half, Colombia has been able to put the US midfield and backline under pressure. The backline and defense appear to be handling that pressure well. Fox has been able to track runners down the right wing and is able to cut off their attack. When it comes to the midfield, Horan, Sullivan and Sonnett were at times struggling to get out of that pressure. They need to do better when it comes to maintaining control. As for the attack, there hasn’t been much action from the attack. Rodman has been able to get some crosses and services off, but they were easily dealt with by Colombia.

For the second half, the US needs to be more aggressive, especially when it comes to possession and control. The midfield and attack need to put Colombia under pressure instead of just allowing them to take control and make runs towards the US box. If the US wants to get on the attack and get their crosses, services, and shots off, it all goes back to maintaining control and possession.

Second Half/Closing Notes

USWNT Draws 0-0.

When it came to the backline, they did well in this match. They were able to handle Colombia’s counterattack, services, and crosses without issue. It was better than I expected because I thought the US backline would end up struggling with Colombia’s pace in the attack. Overall, they handled it well and will know what to expect going into game two.

When it came to the second half, the US was on the attack and creating more chances than in the first half, but it didn’t really change that much until the substitutes came on. When DeMelo, Hatch, Krueger, Shaw, and Smith came on, I noticed there was more urgency and drive in the attack, especially when it came to DeMelo wanting to press and advance the attack. It was a good change of pace from earlier.

The US was being more cautious in the first half and going into the second half. They were trying not to turn over possession as much, which could be why we didn’t see much from the attack in the first half. However, when the substitutes came on, there seemed to be a change in how the team was playing. Everyone wanted to get high and attack Colombia’s goal and backline. As a result, Colombia was able to counterattack more easily, but the US was able to recover possession and get back on the attack without issue. I understand wanting to be cautious against a team like Colombia, but when it came to this match, I think I would’ve preferred the US taking more risks. I would’ve liked to see more pressure from the US attack, especially early on. On top of that, more pace and better control in the midfield.

The USWNT’s second friendly against Colombia is on Sunday, October 29th at 5:30PM EST.