USWNT vs Colombia Friendlies Recap
The USWNT vs Colombia friendlies took place as a tune-up for World Cup qualification. Of course, two wins by a combined score of 5-0 are always a good thing, but the team will likely feel they could have had more.
Credit goes to Colombia for coming in with a proper game plan to defend the United States. For the second game to be even closer than the first one with both teams having seen each other already, it’s a massive win for Colombia. As for the USWNT, Vlatko Andonovski mentioned before the game it was a great opportunity to see some fresh faces and see what they can do.
Naturally, this group needs more time together to figure things out and work through the kinks. Overall, these two matches were helpful for both sides. Let’s recap the USWNT vs Colombia friendlies.
First Match
The USWNT came out and attacked the Colombians right away, creating loads of chances in the first half. Colombia’s keeper, Catalina Perez, who plays for Real Betis in La Liga, probably had the best performance of anyone on the pitch. Perez saved everything that came into her path, including two penalties in the same game. Few keepers can say they stopped two penalties in open play, let alone do it against the USWNT.
However, the second half would be a different story. Rose Lavelle and Sophia Smith were able to combine twice to give the USWNT a two-goal lead in a six-minute span. The second goal was a thing of beauty with the pass and the finish from Lavelle to Smith.
.@sophsssmith's second of the evening, and FIFTH of 2022! pic.twitter.com/WclxMx2T2w
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) June 26, 2022
At the end of the match, one of the other major highlights was Taylor Kornieck getting her first cap, followed by her first goal for the USWNT.
.@taylorkornieck scores on her first international appearance 🙌
It took her 18 minutes to score her first USWNT goal 🔥pic.twitter.com/UH4uQc5YGX
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) June 26, 2022
Kornieck talked after the game about how it was a dream realized for her and how awesome it was to achieve that dream.
An inside look behind-the-scenes of @taylorkornieck’s magical USWNT debut.✨
🎥 : @USWNT
— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) June 28, 2022
Second Match
The match ended 3-0 and could’ve been at least 5 or 6-0 if not for Catalina Perez. Going into the second match, we expected more of the same from the USWNT. However, some lineup changes gave some other players a chance to perform, which was a great sight to see. Naomi Girma and Carson Pickett both started on the backline. Both players getting the chance to start is huge for different reasons.
Girma represents the future, an everyday starter at the position. For Carson Pickett, this is what she worked her entire career for to get a call to the USWNT senior team and start in a game. She’s a true inspiration for anyone who feels like they can’t do something or has been told they can’t, based on their appearance or physical traits.
The only goal scored through the first 75 minutes was an own goal forced by Sofia Huerta’s dangerous cross into the box. Eventually, the USWNT would get their second thanks to Kelley O’Hara, who showed a nice piece of skill to stick that in the far corner without much time to think about it.
.@kelleymohara's first #USWNT goal since 2016!!! 😱 pic.twitter.com/QgtspwcNQ8
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) June 29, 2022
However, the major talking point from the match had nothing to do with the play on the pitch. There was a dust-up between the Colombian defender and Ashley Hatch, ending with Hatch shoving her in the face.
The only exciting thing that happened this game pic.twitter.com/ZlXQTtSy68
— j (@oosaoosautd) June 29, 2022
This should’ve been a red card, but the referee gave her a yellow with the match coming to an end. The match was pretty much over, and Ashley Hatch knows she shouldn’t have reacted that way but sometimes, as athletes, you get caught up in the heat of the moment. Based on their performance after the second match, the USWNT still has some things to work out, and Haiti, Mexico, and Jamaica will look to try and exploit that fact in upcoming qualification matches.
There’s certainly nothing to worry about but expect all the other teams to try and defend, keep things compact and make the game ugly like the Colombians did. The USWNT should come out with a solid response in the first match against Haiti regardless of who makes the Starting XI. They’re not a fully finished product right now, but they will be when it matters most.
Featured image via @uswnt on Instagram
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