Pre-Match Notes: After coming in second in Group A, the U.S. Women’s National Team will be facing Colombia in the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup Quarterfinals. This isn’t the first time the these two will be meeting. The U.S. has met Colombia multiple times over the past couple of years. Out of ten meetings, the U.S. has come away with eight wins and two draws.

However, Colombia has proved to be a tough and challenging opponent for not just the U.S., but for many teams across the board. Colombia in the 2023 Women’s World Cup made it all the way to the quarterfinals, where they were ultimately defeated by England. When it comes to this match, Colombia, no doubt, will put up a strong fight against the U.S.

If the USWNT wants to be successful in this match, if they want to move on to the semifinals, they need to approach this match with a more serious mentality. When it came to the U.S.’s loss to Mexico in the group stage, Michael Lewis’s article for Front Row Soccer implied that the U.S. team didn’t expect Mexico to be much of a challenge. In Lewis’s article, USWNT veteran Crystal Dunn stated, “Unfortunately, on this team, like, a lot of people think winning is easy. And it’s not. I think that’s the biggest lesson we’ve learned today is that you don’t just show up and guarantee a win. You’ve got to put out a really top performance.”

Overconfidence and arrogance are the downfall of any team, and while losing may have been a harsh way for the U.S. to learn this, it was a lesson they needed to learn sooner rather than later. As women’s soccer continues to grow around the world, as nations and clubs start developing their women’s teams, the U.S. can’t afford to underestimate any team they face. This is especially true in the U.S.’s upcoming matches, where the challenges and obstacles will be tougher to overcome.

The match against Mexico also showed the areas where the U.S. needs to improve. While the U.S. was able to get their attack forward, they still struggled to connect and find an attacking rhythm. Additionally, the U.S. midfield and attack need to figure out how to play under pressure, especially when teams are going to challenge them for possession and control. Colombia is a team that will fight other teams for possession. Most likely, we’ll see Colombia do just that against the U.S. The U.S. will need to figure out how to maintain stability in the midfield, so that their attack can get forward more effectively.

Another area of contention is the U.S.’s backline and defense. The U.S.’s failure to shut down Mexico’s attack, and failure to recover possession in that match, put the U.S. in dangerous and risky situations. When it comes to this match against Colombia, Colombia has no issue getting their attack forward, and is especially dangerous when it comes to counterattacking. The team is quick in transition and will wait for the right moments to strike. One can’t help but wonder if the U.S. backline and defense will be able to keep up with Colombia’s quick-moving attacking players, like Catalina Usme and Linda Caicedo.

The U.S. can come away with a win in this match, but it’s going to go back to their mentality and effort, and whether they’ll be able to step up to the challenges posed to them tonight. Additionally, the U.S. is needing to build consistency in the attack, and in their attacking partnerships. There needs to be good control and movement in the midfield, as well as good responses to Colombia’s counterattack and transitions. The backline needs to have better awareness and will be needing to keep up with runners and loose balls. They, along with the midfielders, will also be tasked with shutting down Colombia’s attack and recovering possession. This is likely to be a tough match for the U.S., but hopefully the team will be better prepared to face these challenges head on.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Alyssa Naeher in the goal. For defenders Jenna Nighswonger, Naomi Girma, Tierna Davidson, and Emily Fox. In the midfield, Lindsey Horan, Korbin Albert, and Sam Coffey. For forwards, Trinity Rodman, Alex Morgan, and Jaedyn Shaw.

Substitutes: Abby Dahlkemper, Becky Sauerbrunn, Lynn Williams, Midge Purce, Sophia Smith, Olivia Moultrie, Emily Sonnett, Rose Lavelle, Casey Murphy, Crystal Dunn, Casey Krueger, Jane Campbell.

This is a very interesting line up. While Horan has faced Colombia before, it’s still going to be interesting to see how Albert and Coffey will handle this Colombian team, and whether they’ll be able to connect with the U.S. attack that consists of Morgan, Rodman, and Shaw. This Colombian team can be very aggressive and physical with their pressure in the midfield, 1v1s, and battling for control and possession. However, in order for the U.S. attack to be effective in this match, it’s going to come down to whether the U.S. can maintain control and stability in the midfield. It’s also going to come down to whether these players will be able to connect in the attack and in the box.

Additionally, when it comes to the midfield and backline, they have to be able to respond to Colombia’s counterattacks and transitions. As mentioned previously, Colombia is quick in transition, and is especially dangerous when their attack can get forward. The U.S. backline, in the match against Mexico, was at times slow to respond to Mexico’s attack. The challenge for the backline, in this match, is whether they’ll be able to keep up with Colombia’s pace down the wings, and respond to Colombia’s attack. The U.S. also needs to be careful when it comes to defending against set pieces and corner kicks, which many have pointed out is a weak point for this U.S. team. Naomi Girma has returned to the starting eleven, and will provide good support in the backline.

While it is still likely that the U.S. can come away with a win in this match, it’s not going to come without a challenge. Whether the U.S. will be up for that challenge, remains to be seen.

First Half Notes

USWNT 3-0.

Goal scorers for the U.S.: Horan (PK), Nighswonger (1), Shaw (1)

Horan converted a penalty kick after Morgan was fouled in the Colombia box. Then, Girma found Morgan. Morgan touched it over, and Nighswonger, arriving late, scored the U.S.’s second goal. Shaw scored the U.S.’s third goal off a cross from Rodman.

I like this intensity from the U.S. in this first half. The team was intense and ruthless, and I believe that was what was missing in the match against Mexico. It’s refreshing to see that fire and desire to win from this team. That fire may be burning hotter for some players on the pitch, as this match was starting to become more heated and physical. Players on both sides would receive yellow cards. Rodman, Shaw, and Morgan would go into the referee’s book for this first half.

An announcer pointed out, Rodman shouldn’t come on in the second half, because she’s currently on a yellow. Rodman has had some risky and dangerous moments in this first half where she could’ve been sent off. She caught Linda Caicedo in the face with her hand, and took out a Colombian player on the wing, while trying to tackle the ball away. The U.S. cannot afford to go down to ten players in a match like this. Additionally, the team cannot afford to lose Rodman, an essential player in the U.S. attack, for their next match.

There was great back and forth between both sides, with neither the U.S. nor Colombia backing down from the challenge. What the U.S. is needing to do now is focus on keeping possession instead of just giving it away. There needs to be better control and stability in the midfield. Coffey has been doing well to recover possession, but the U.S. needs to hold and be patient. It may be hard to do because of Colombia’s pressure, but if the U.S. can pass the ball around and focus on keeping it, it will keep Colombia from getting their attack off. Likewise, it will also allow for the U.S. to get their attack forward.

Colombia has been able to get their attack off in this first half, and what’s really concerning is the U.S. backline and defense. They’re allowing Colombia to get behind the backline. The U.S. needs to do better marking players and shutting down Colombia’s attack. On a more positive note, Naeher was able to make some important saves in this half, which prevented Colombia from tying things up. Overall, there needs to be better awareness from the backline, but so far, they are holding off Colombia’s attack.

Second Half/Closing Notes

USWNT Wins 3-0.

Goal scorers for the U.S.: Horan (PK), Nighswonger (1), Shaw (1).

This was a very exciting and thrilling match. Things quieted down more in the second half, which is to be expected, but there was better game management from the U.S. The U.S. was able to get their attack forward, however, the team still needs to work on their connection in the attack. The build-up plays from the U.S. were good, but that connection in the box and final touch needs more attention.

Control and possession in the midfield were better from the U.S. in this second half, however, it’s still an area that this team could work on and improve. There needs to be a focus on keeping and holding possession, as well as being quicker in transition. The U.S. attack could be on the move in transition, and by the time they reach the box, Colombia would be there and close out any clear chances for the U.S. This once again goes back to the U.S. needing to develop their connection in the attack.

When it comes to the backline and defense, they were able to hold off Colombia’s attack in both halves. Girma, Nighswonger, and Fox had things locked down, but defending on set pieces and corner kicks needs to be cleaner.

Overall, this was a good match and performance from the USWNT. It was great to see the team come back from a disappointing loss, and win this quarterfinal in an albeit dramatic fashion that was well-deserved in the end.