Ladies First: Friendly 2022 USA Colombia

25 juin 2022

Dick's Sporting Goods Park

ENG

Women.Friendly.2022.Usa.Colombia.ENG.twb22.mp4

7.6 Go

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The United States women's national team defeated Colombia 3-0 on Saturday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. The USWNT are now undefeated in 13 games against South American opponents. The match was the first of two friendlies against Las Cafeteras as the USWNT utilize the international window as final prep for the upcoming Concacaf W Championship in Monterrey, Mexico in July. Colorado native Sophia Smith scored a brace, and Taylor Kornieck scored in her national team debut. Alex Morgan won a penalty during the second half and Megan Rapinoe recorded an assist as the two veterans made their national team returns after an eight month absence.

As expected, the USWNT faced a low block by Colombia, forcing the team to try and unlock a conservative defensive shape early. However, Colombia's back four also featured a surprising wrinkle, with a sweeper behind the line, adding a layer of unpredictability to the mix early in the match. Through the first half hour the USWNT lead in all the offensive stats, with seven shots to Colombia's zero, but none of them truly tested Colombia goalkeeper Catalina Perez. Smith was active in attack though and that led to a foul in the box, giving the USWNT a chance to breakthrough just before halftime, but a low, hard penalty from Lindsey Horan was saved by Perez. A fter halftime, head coach Vlatko Andonovski made adjustments, bringing on Morgan and Ashley Sanchez in place of Ashley Hatch and Horan. The impact was immediate as Morgan's presence began to draw more players to her, giving the midfield more open space and opportunities to break the lines with incisive passes. 

As the USWNT prepare to enter their World Cup qualifiers in July, they will do so as the number one ranked team in the world and as reigning Concacaf W Champions. They may expect to committed, conservative defensive shapes and various teams playing low blocks throughout their tournament. "We don't know what we're gonna see [in qualifiers]," Morgan said. "Obviously, you know, we might have teams who kind of sit off us. We might have teams to come at us straight up. It's a good preparation tool for us against Colombia twice. You know, them kind of having a five back, and really sitting back, and kind of not allowing us to play through them. You know, we might see that. So, it's just a great game for us in preparation."