HARRISON, N.J. (March 7, 2026) – The U.S. Women’s National Team secured its eighth SheBelieves Cup, presented by Visa, title after forward Alyssa Thompson scored the late game winner to lift the USA to a 1-0 victory against Colombia. It was the fourth international goal and first of the year for Thompson, who was just named the London Football Awards Women’s Young Player of the Year, and it was set up by forward Jaedyn Shaw, who picked up her fourth career assist. Thompson was named the Visa SheBelieves Cup MVP for her performances over all three matches of the tournament.
Heading into the final match day, the U.S. needed only a win or a draw against Colombia to secure the tournament title. Canada defeated Argentina, 3-2, on penalty kicks after a scoreless draw in the first game of the day,creating another scenario where the U.S. could still win the tournament even with a loss to Colombia. The USA finished atop the standings with nine points, Canada finished second with five points, Colombia finished third with three points, and Argentina finished in fourth place with one point.
Colombia did its best to slow the game down with persistent fouling along with numerous injury stoppages and slow play, but the U.S. team kept its composure and to put on a mature performance to earn the win.
The U.S. controlled more than two-thirds of possession throughout the first 45 minutes, but Las Cafeteras created more dangerous opportunities and went into halftime with eight shot attempts to the USA’s three. Colombia’s first chance came in the 17th minute when Manuela Vanegas got on the end of a free kick and volleyed her shot just over the crossbar. Later in the half, Washington Spirit midfielder Leicy Santos backheeled a pass to MaithéLópez inside the six-yard box, but it was defended well by Emily Sonnett before goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce came up with the ball.
Sonnett, who has been on all 11 SheBelieves Cup rosters for the USWNT, won her record eighth SheBelieves Cup title, more than any other player.
The first shot on target for the U.S. came just before halftime when defender Avery Patterson pushed past her defender on the left side and sent a cross inside the penalty area. Midfielder Rose Lavelle’s first-time shot was right at Colombian goalkeeper Katherine Tapia.
U.S. substitutions at the hour-mark rejuvenated the team and the crowd of 22,385 at Sports Illustrated Stadium and the group created multiple chances before finding the breakthrough in the 82nd minute. The goal originated when substitute midfielders Olivia Moultrie and Lindsey Heaps combined before finding Thompson out wide on the left. Thompson played the ball to Shaw, another substitute, who returned it to Thompson at the top of the box. She took a touch before smashing her shot into the top left corner of the goal to bring the crowd to its feet.
The U.S. prevented Colombia from a shot on target in the second half as goalkeeper Tullis-Joyce earned her second consecutive clean sheet. The USA was the only team in the tournament to not allow a single goal.
Prior to kickoff at Sports Illustrated Stadium, U.S. Soccer honored USWNT legend and New Jersey native Tobin Heath in a pre-match celebration. The two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist announced her retirement from professional soccer last summer. She recorded 36 goals and 42 assists in 181 appearances for the U.S. Women’s National Team.
Up next, the USWNT heads to PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on April 11 for the first of a three-match series with long-time rival Japan. The sides will travel to Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash., for the second match on April 14 before the final match takes place on April 17 at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.
Goal Scoring Rundown:
USA – ALYSSA THOMPSON (JAEDYN SHAW), 82nd minute: Olivia Moultrie intercepted a pass and played Lindsey Heaps inside the center circle. Heaps moved it out wide to Thompson, who carried it up the field before passing to Shaw on the left flank. Thompson continued her run and received the ball back from Shaw at the top of the box. She settled the ball and smashed the right-footed shot into the top left corner of the goal that struck the bottom of the crossbar before bouncing down into the goal. USA 1, COL 0
Additional Notes:
Match: United States Women’s National Team vs. Colombia
Date: March 7, 2026
Competition: 2026 SheBelieves Cup, Presented by Visa
Venue: Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, N.J.
Attendance: 22,385
Kickoff: 3:37 p.m. ET
Weather: 50 degrees and cloudy
| Scoring Summary | 1 | 2 | F |
| USA | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| COL | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| USA – Alyssa Thompson (Jaedyn Shaw) | 82nd minute |
Lineups:
USA: 24-Phallon Tullis-Joyce; 23-Emily Fox, 4-Naomi Girma (Capt.) (5-Tara Rudd, 46), 14-Emily Sonnett, 6-Avery Patterson; 17-Sam Coffey, 7-Lily Yohannes (10-Lindsey Heaps, 61), 16-Rose Lavelle (13-Olivia Moultrie, 61); 2-Trinity Rodman (19-Emma Sears, 61), 9-Ally Sentnor (8-Jaedyn Shaw, 61), 21-Alyssa Thompson (26-Jameese Joseph, 85)
Subs not used: 1-Claudia Dickey; 3-Emily Sams, 11-Kennedy Wesley, 15-Claire Hutton, 22-Riley Jackson, 25-Maddie Dahlien
Not dressing: Gisele Thompson
Head coach: Emma Hayes
COL: 12-Katerin Tapia; 4-Ana Guzman (15-Wendy Bonilla Candelo, 85), 16-Jorelyn Carabali, 3-Daniela Arias, 2-Manuela Vanegas; 6-Daniela Montoya (Capt.) (20- Ilana Izquierdo, 56), 8- Marcela Restrepo (23-Gabriela Rodriguez, 85), 18-Linda Caicedo, 10- Leicy Santos, 7-Manuela Pavi (21-Valerin Loboa, 70); 17-Maithé Lopez (9-Gisela Robledo, 56)
Substitutes not used: 1-Catalina Perez, 5-Liced Serna, 11-Gracy Landazury, 13-Natalia Giraldo, 14-Mary Jose Alvarez, 19-Yirleidys Quejada Minota, 22- Daniela Caracas
Head coach: Angelo Marsiglia
Stats Summary: USA / COL
Shots: 8 / 10
Shots on Goal: 3 / 1
Saves: 1 / 2
Corner Kicks: 4 / 1
Fouls: 7 / 11
Offside: 4 / 3
| Misconduct Summary | |
| USA — Avery Patterson (Caution) | 90th minute |
Officials:
REF: Vimarest Diaz (DOM)
AR1: Jessica Morales: (MEX)
AR2: Stephanie Yee Sing (JAM)
4th Official: Myriam Marcotte (CAN)
| TEAM | GP | W | L | D | PK Win | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 9 |
| Canada | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 5 |
| Colombia | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 3 |
| Argentina | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |