SANDY, Utah (June 28, 2022) – The U.S. Women’s National Team beat Colombia 2-0 in their final tune-up ahead of the 2022 Concacaf W Championship. A Colombian own goal in the first half sparked by defender Sofia Huerta’s cross and a brilliant strike from defender Kelley O’Hara in the second half led the USWNT to victory despite a 50-minute weather delay at the 75th minute and a gritty defensive effort from the Colombians in their second matchup in just three days.
The USA looked sharp in the attack yet again during the first half, dominating the majority of possession in the attacking third with clever combination play. After creating a few dangerous chances, the USA bagged the opening goal in the 22nd minute after a cross from Huerta from just outside the right side of the box was deflected off the head of defender Manuela Vanegas and into her own net.
The hosts nearly doubled the lead just before the halftime break after Huerta forced a turnover in Colombia’s defense third and sent a cross into the box, but forward Alex Morgan’s volley from point blank range smashed off the crossbar.
Just moments after the start of the second half, a moment of brilliance on the dribble in the right side of the penalty box by halftime substitute Trinity Rodman concluded with forward Megan Rapinoe heading a deflected shot over the ‘keeper and on target, but the ball was cleared off the goal line by Colombian defender Carolina Arias Vidal. After more dominant play by the USA, the match was paused in the 75th minute due to a lightning strike close to the venue. After the delay, play resumed for the final 15 minutes.
The USA struck almost as quickly as the lightning did as O’Hara put her name on the scoresheet just two minutes after the match resumed. A chipped service from Ashley Sanchez into the right side of the penalty area was met with a header back across the goal from Rodman. A Colombian defender tried to clear, but the ball bounced to O’Hara in the right side of the penalty area and she fired a powerful, curling half-volley across the goal and into the left side-netting. The goal marked the defender’s first since 2016 and the third of her international career.
Colombia created more dangerous chances than in the first match, posting six shots and two shots on target, but USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was in top form as she came up with two big saves, first stretching to deny a curling shot from the top of the box with a one-handed save in the 55th minute and then parrying out a powerful strike from just outside the box in the 86th.
The USA will next head to Monterrey, Mexico for the 2022 Concacaf W Championship. The competition runs from July 4-18 and will serve as the region’s qualifying tournament for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. New this year, the tournament champion will also secure its spot in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris as well as a berth to the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup. The USA kicks off Group A action on July 4, taking on Haiti at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT (CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, ViX).
USA – Manuela Vanegas (Own Goal), 22nd minute – Sofia Huerta received a pass from Alex Morgan on the right side of the field and swung a cross into the box which was accidentally deflected by Vanegas into her own net on her attempted diving header clear. USA 1, COL 0
USA – Kelley O’Hara, 77th minute – As the USA overwhelmed the Colombian defense inside their box, Rodman headed an Ashley Sanchez service into the heart of the box from the right side. A poor clearance from the Colombian defense put the ball at O’Hara’s feet and she finished with a curling half-volley across into the left side-netting from about 12 yards out. USA 2, COL 0
Match: United States Women’s National Team vs. Colombia
Date: June 28, 2022
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
Attendance: 16,077
Kickoff: 10:08 p.m. ET (8:08 p.m. local)
Weather: 83 degrees; partly cloudy
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 1 1 2
COL 0 0 0
USA – Manuela Vanegas (Own Goal) 22nd minute
USA – Kelley O’Hara 77
Lineups:
USA: 1-Alyssa Naeher; 8-Sofia Huerta (5-Kelley O’Hara, 71), 14-Emily Sonnett, 12-Naomi Girma, 26-Carson Pickett; 10-Lindsey Horan (Capt.) (22-Kristie Mewis, 46), 16-Rose Lavelle (20-Taylor Kornieck, 62), 2-Ashley Sanchez; 23-Midge Purce (6-Trinity Rodman, 46), 13-Alex Morgan (7-Ashley Hatch, 71), 15-Megan Rapinoe (9-Mallory Pugh, 62)
Substitutes not used: 18-Casey Murphy, 21-Aubrey Kingsbury, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 19-Emily Fox, 25-Jaelin Howell, 27-Sam Coffey
Head coach: Vlatko Andonovski
COL: 1-Catalina Perez; 17-Carolina Arias, 20-Monica Ramos, 19-Jorelyn Carabali, 2-Manuela Vanegas, 14-Nancy Acosta; 4-Diana Ospina (11-Catalina Usme, 74), 6-Daniela Montoya (Capt.) (21-Liana Salazar, 75), 5-Lorena Bedoya, 23-Elexa Bahr (18-Linda Caicedo, 46); 10-Leicy Santos (15-Tatiana Ariza, 90+2)
Substitutes not used: 12-Sandra Sepulveda, 13-Luz Katherine Tapia, 3-Daniela Arias, 7-Ana Gabriela Huertas, 8-Angie Castañeda, 9-Mayra Ramirez, 16-Maria Morales, 22-Daniela Caracas
Head coach: Nelson Abadía
Stats Summary: USA / COL
Shots: 18 / 6
Shots on Goal: 5 / 2
Saves: 2 / 3
Corner Kicks: 5 / 4
Fouls: 9 / 7
Offside: 0 / 0
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Rose Lavelle (Caution) 60th minute
USA – Ashley Hatch (Caution) 90+3
Officials:
Referee: Katja Koroleva (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Jennifer Garner (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Alicia Messer (USA)
4th Official: Natalie Simon (USA)
Budweiser Woman of the Match: Kelley O’Hara
