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USA beat Colombia 1-0 in WWC Round of 16

By on June 22, 2015

The US Women’s National Team’s ability to dig out results at the World Cup can be pinned on two main factors: their defense, and Megan Rapinoe. Their midfield and attack have been underwhelming all the way through to the Quarterfinals. They’ve scored six times in four games with Rapinoe having had a direct hand in four, including winning a penalty today. Rapinoe has been a bright spot, the US’ drive and spark, in an otherwise bland attacking force.

Their defense, meanwhile, has more than compensated for the US’ misfiring attack. Conceding just once in four games, Becky Sauerbrunn and breakout star Julie Johnston have rooted the US’ backline consistently. They’ve gone 333-goal-free minutes and Hope Solo has hardly had to make a big save since her heroics in the US’ first group stage meeting with Australia. Left-back Meghan Klingenberg has also become a solid fixture in their back-line.

Colombia put up a stiff contest and, granted the US took their foot off the gas after scoring, the South American side kept faith; indeed, they were unfortunate to see their starting goalkeeper Sandra Sepúlveda suspended for the match, and their backup Catalina Perez sent off early in the second half. Catalina’s replacement, Stefany Castaño was at fault for the US’ key go-ahead goal.

Colombia coach Fabian Taborda told FIFA of her team’s performance: “They played with an iron-will from the beginning to the end of this match, and at times the best team in the world didn’t look that good because of the way we performed.”

However, there were positives for the US. Alex Morgan scored and won a penalty in just her second start of the tournament and despite being isolated at times, found some of the clinical touch for which she’s known. Her injury seems in the past and Morgan said before the Colombia game, per Goal.com, “I feel like I’m getting my rhythm of play back and feel good with where I am,” adding she is good to play ninety minutes.

The US began well but Colombia maintained a resolute defense. Abby Wambach saw an early goal ruled offside and Johnston volleyed over from a corner. In the twenty-seventh minute, Morgan rose over her marker to head the ball into the ground and up, forcing Perez into a finger-tip save.

Yet the first half ended on a low note as Rapinoe saw her second yellow card of the tournament, resulting a rather unfortunate suspension from the US’ quarterfinal draw against China. Christen Press will likely start in Rapinoe’s stead, while Morgan Brian is tipped to replace the suspended Lauren Holiday.

Although the US struggled to grip control of the second period, they quickly established a lead. Morgan won a penalty after tipping the ball past an oncoming Perez, who was sent off for subsequently taking Morgan down. Wambach sent the spot-kick wide of the goal but not five minutes later Morgan snuck a low effort into the back of the net at Castaño’s near-post.

In the sixty-sixth minute, Rapinoe won another penalty, which Carly Lloyd coolly buried to all but secure the US’ win.

Photo credit: Ampatent on Flickr

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.