USWNT 6-0 Colombia: result, summary and goals, international friendly soccer match
USWNT vs Colombia live
Full-time! The USA overpowered their Colombian opponents and racked up six goals, which could have been more, had Sepúlveda not made some superb saves.
The USA now go on to the SheBelieves Cup, where their opponents will be Japan, Canada and Brazil - all of those sides will know they'l have their work cut out to get anything against this well-oiled soccer machine.
What a nutmeg from Purce out on the right on Acosta, but it comes to nothing as she then loses control of ball which is cleared.
90 minutes up, but the home side are still pressing for a seventh.
Sepúlveda won't let any more in tonight, as she's brought off to give Giraldo a quick spell in goals.
Substitution for Colombia. Caro off and Caicedo on.
Ball fired across from the left by Horan and Purce puts it JUST wide. She's gutted at missing that chance at the near post.
Carli Lloyd tumbles in the box and has a hopeful glance at the referee, but that's not a penalty.
Dangerous free-kick for the USA, some 30 yards out on the left. Davidson swings it in and Colombia forced to put it behind for a corner. Nothing comes of that however.
Krieger comes off for Emily Fox
USA's Krieger booked for a heavy challenge.
Carli Lloyd first to win a header in the box, but she puts it wide and then collides heavily with the keeper. No harm done to either though.
Samantha Mewis is sitting with ice on her ankle, but she looks happy enough.
More sustained pressure from the hosts, laying siege by land and air to the Colombia goal. Again the visitors somehow survive unscathed.
Absolute scramble in the Colombia goalmouth, with several shots pinged at the net, but the defence somehow keep them all out..
Mewis comes off and Mewis comes on. Samantha can't go on after that injury and sister Kristie comes on for her.
Mewis comes off and Mewis comes on. Samantha can't go on after that injury and sister Kristie comes on for her.
Mewis caught late and she's down getting medical attention. She appears to be in some distress.
Changes for the US:
Lavelle, Macario and Rapinoe off, Horan, Lloyd and Dunn on
Mewis can't believe it! She just has to head home into an empty net at the back post, but she hits the post! That's a shocking miss.
Backheel from Rapinoe to Mewis, who crossed to the backpost where Lynn Williams nods home. Given some of the saves Sepúlveda has produced tonight she'll be annoyed to let that one in.
Coming up to the hour mark and the tempo in the game has slowed somewhat. USA still well in control, but not putting in so many pacey runs to break through the Colombia defence, who remain mostly well organised.
Another superb diving save from Sepúlveda, denying Lavelle this time, tipping the ball round the post.
Romero into the book for a shove. Colombia getting frustrated here and it's showing.
Another corner for the USA, but Rapinoe fails to get the ball over the first defender. Unusual error from her.
Lovely flowing football down the left wing, started with a run from Macario, who then moves it to Rapinoe, she switches the play to the opposite flank for a cross back in, but keeper Sepúlveda stretches and just tips the ball to safety.
Colombia make a move down the left, but Cook and Krieger mop it up and get the ball clear.
The visitors then try down the right, but Ospina slips offside.
And US straight on the attack, probing down the left, Sonnett slips it inside to Rapinoe who can smell her hat-trick and unleashes one from 25 yards. It sails over the bar. She does not look happy.
Second half underway!
Teams out for the second half. Here we go...
Colombia are making two changes: Orianica Velásquez and Gabriel Huertas off for Kena Romero and Gisela Robledo.
Half-time! A much changed US side dominated the visitors in that first half. Macario opened the scoring early on with a neat goal at the near post and while Colombia then defended bravely and kept the home side at bay for a half-an-hour, the pressure eventually wore them down with Rapinoe scoring in the 35th with a deflected shot and then slotting home a penalty just before the break when Monday's hat-trick hero Mewis was fouled in the box.
Williams races onto a through ball and goes to chip Sepúlveda who comes rushing out, she doesn't quite get it high enough and then runs into the keeper, flattening her.
Penalty for USA as Daniela Arias knocks over Samantha Mewis in the box. Rapinoe steps up to convert, and that's three!
So dangerous for Colombia... corner swung round down the corridor of uncertainty between keeper and defenders, but it goes right through, just taking a touch off a Colombia player to go out for another corner.
Velasquez booked for going through Lavelle. Not much doubt about that one. Dangerous free-kick for the US, which is swung in and punched by Sepúlveda.
Second for the US! Rapinoe with a shot from near the top of the box and it takes a cruel deflection to beat the keeper.
Mewis strides imperiously through the midfield and into the Colombia box, she then goes to a play a one-two move with Rapinoe, but they slip offside as they do so.
Huge hit from outside the box from Macario and Sepúlveda does incredibly well to dive at full stretch to her left and tip the ball round the post.
Colombia on the break and Montoya is through and haring away... until the flag goes up for offside. She can't believe but tones down the protests just before she goes too far.
More pressure in the box from the US, Rapinoe twisting and turning like a dervish to break free, she plays it out to the wing for the cross back in, but one of the American players fouls and Colombia get a breather.
Not sure what Davidson had for breakfast, she goes to play a long ball half way up the left hand side and catches it absolute full - it soars right into the Colombia box.
Off the post from the USA, powerful shot from Macario, looks like it took a tiny deflection onto the woodwork.
A rare bit of pressure for Colombia, pushing up into the US half, but when the home side get the ball they are more than happy to play it around the back and wait for a gap in midfield to open up and they're soon on the offensive again. Lavelle drives into the box, evades one tackle and takes a shot, but it's blocked
Ball flicked to the back post and Ertz SO close to steering her header home. She gives her team-mate a rueful thumbs up as she trots back.
Powerful play in the box from Macario, beating her marker and nearly getting the ball over the keeper from the goalline, but Sepúlveda just turns the ball out for another corner.
Keeper Sepúlveda does better there, coming and claiming with Williams looking for half a chance.
Terrible mix up at the back from Colombia, Arias nodding past her own keeper who had come for the ball. They're incredibly lucky no home player can get to the ball before it runs out for a corner. Worrying signs of a lack of communication at the back for Colombia though.
There's Catarina Macario's goal for you. Super awareness and neatly finished. Lyon are rubbing their hands.
Another corner for the US, won out on the right, Rapinoe swings it in, but it comes to nothing.
It's a covid-reduced crowd tonight, but they are making a fair amount of noise in here.
America attacking at their pleasure here, with the Colombian defence constantly scampering to cover the movement from the US front line.
Another good break down the right from the USA, but keeper Sepúlveda is out quickly and she smothers the ball.
No respite here for Colombia as the USA win a corner straight from the restart. It's swung into the danger area, but Colombia scramble it clear. Carabali hurt, by her own goalkeeper it looks like.
Krieger out on the right slides it into the box and CATARINA MACARIO is there at the near post to slot home. First start and first goal for her!
1-0! USA strike first and strike early!
Early attack for the US, and Rapinoe is looking sharp there. Rose Lavelle gets a shot away but it's over the bar.
Off we go! USWNT vs Colombia!!
The USA anthem, sung so powerfully by Lady Gaga on Wednesday.
Anthem time. Colombian anthem rings out:
Oh, unwithering glory!
Oh, immortal jubilance!
In furrows of pain,
goodness now germinates.
Slight delay here in Orlando... we should be underway any time now though.
Ali Krieger's pre-match press conference
Always worth listening to. She's in tonight's starting line-up.
Changes from Monday
Coach Andonovski said he was going to be all about rotation and he's gone for seven changes from Monday night's 4-0 win over Colombia: Campbell comes in for Naeher in goal; there's a completely new defensive line with Sonnett, Cook, Davidson and Sonnett replacing Dunn, Sauerbrunn, Dahlkemper and O’Hara; Lavelle steps in for Horan in the midfield; and Macario takes Lloyd's place up top.
Samantha Mewis however keeps her place and earns her 70th cap, having scored a hat-trick on Monday night. She was voted 2020 US Soccer Female Player of the Year and is showing no signs of dropping the pace in 2021.
Colombia starting line-up
Colombia will start with: Sepúlveda, Acosta, Arias, Carabalí, Arias, Huertas, Caro, Velázquez, Montoya, Ospina and Usme
US line-up for tonight
Starting XI vs. Colombia: 24-Jane Campbell; 14-Emily Sonnett, 12-Tierna Davidson, 28-Alana Cook, 11-Ali Krieger; 8-Julie Ertz, 3-Samantha Mewis, 16-Rose Lavelle; 15-Megan Rapinoe (Capt.), 29-Catarina Macario, 6-Lynn Williams
First start for Catarina Macario, who made her debut on Monday night.
Available Substitutes: 9-Lindsey Horan, 10-Carli Lloyd, 18-Ashlyn Harris, 19-Crystal Dunn, 22-Kristie Mewis, 23-Margaret Purce, 27-Emily Fox
Not Dressing: Aubrey Bledsoe, Abby Dahlkemper, Jaelin Howell, Alyssa Naeher, Kelley O’Hara, Mallory Pugh (inj.), Becky Sauerbrunn, Sophia Smith (inj.), Andi Sullivan (inj.)
Colombia dreaming of World Cup 2023
The Colombian team continue with their first round of preparation for the Copa América 2022, where they will be seeking a place at the Women’s World Cup 2023, to be held in Australia and New Zealand. This is their last game on this tour and they will be desperate to correct the mistakes they made in the first game. Their tameness in aerial battles, lack of understanding between defence and attack and the lack of variation when they had the ball are the three main areas coach Nelson Abadía will want to address.
Daniela Montoya, Carolina Arias and Daniela Ospina were out of the first match having been in close contact with someone who tested positive for covid-19, while Gabriel Huertas also missed out when her tests came back inconclusive.
The four players are now available and have trained normally. “Nelson Abadía had the full group available, with the return of Daniela Montoya, Diana Ospina, Carolina Arias and Gabriela Huertas,” the Colombian Football Federation explained in a press release.
Colombia have played the US on seven occasions. Twice in the World Cup, twice in the Olympic Games and in three friendlies, including Monday’s match. So far they’ve recorded six defeats and one draw, coming at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016, when the scoreline finished 2-2.
Full US roster (caps/goals)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Aubrey Bledsoe (Washington Spirit; 0), Jane Campbell (Houston Dash; 3), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride; 25), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars; 64)
DEFENDERS (10): Alana Cook (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA; 1/0), Abby Dahlkemper (Manchester City, ENG; 62/0), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars; 26/1), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns FC; 105/24), Emily Fox (Racing Louisville FC; 3/0), Ali Krieger (107/1), Kelley O’Hara (Washington Spirit; 132/2), Margaret Purce (Sky Blue FC; 2/0), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC; 178/0), Emily Sonnett (Washington Spirit; 46/0)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars; 103/20), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC; 86/19), Jaelin Howell (Florida State; 1/0), Rose Lavelle (Manchester City, ENG; 46/13), Catarina Macario (Olympique Lyonnais, FRA; 0/0), Kristie Mewis (Houston Dash; 15/1), Samantha Mewis (Manchester City, ENG; 67/18), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit; 16/0)
FORWARDS (5): Carli Lloyd (Sky Blue FC; 294/123), Mallory Pugh (Chicago Red Stars; 63/18), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign; 168/52), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC; 1/0), Lynn Williams (North Carolina Courage; 29/9)
Full Colombian roster
GOALKEEPERS (3): Natalia Giraldo (América de Cali), Sandra Sepulveda (Independiente Medellín), Valentina Gonzalez (Llaneros F.C.)
DEFENDERS (7): Kelly Ibarguen (Deportivo Cali), Daniela Arias (Junior F.C.), Orianica Velasquez (Junior F.C.), Jorelyn Carabali (Deportivo Cali), Carolina Arias (Deportivo Cali), Kelly Caicedo (Deportivo Cali), Nancy Acosta (Santa Fe)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Diana Ospina (Independiente Medellín), Ana Huertas (Santa Fe), Daniela Montoya (Junior F.C.), Maria Camila Reyes (Llaneros F.C.), Jessica Caro (América de Cali)
FORWARDS (7): Kena Romero (Santa Fe), Gisela Robledo (América de Cali), Catalina Usme (América de Cali), Ingrid Guerra (Deportivo Cali), Manuela Pavi (Deportivo Cali), Linda Caicedo (Deportivo Cali), Liana Salazar (Santa Fe)
USWNT vs Colombia what to expect
Clearly expectations for tonight’s game are shaped by what we saw on Monday, when the young Colombian squad, largely comprised of U-20 prospects (and missing four players due to covid-19), kept their shape in the face of the US onslaught and limited, to some extent, the damage they received from the hosts, going in at half-time 2-0 down and finishing on the wrong end of a 4-0 scoreline. US coach, Vlatko Andonovski, called Colombia a “very technical team” and there’s no doubt they are good on the ball and produce fast, accurate passes.
So expect a fairly similar game tonight, with Colombia doing their best to hurt the US, and probing at the defence - but let’s face it, the US defensive performance on Monday was superb, stopping the visitors from registering a single shot, and we can likely expect more of the same when the game gets underway at 7 p.m. ET.
The US, for their part, battered the Colombia goal with 22 shots, and the headlines went to the Mewis sisters, with Sam Mewis notching a hat-trick and Kristie Mewis grabbing her goal in the 85th minute. But that wasn’t enough for coach Andonovski who felt his side weren’t at their best, but admitted January camp has come on the back of a pandemic-struck year where most of his players barely got to play.
What coach Andonovski has promised is “significant rotation” as he analyses different player combinations, exactly what means is hard to tell.
The starting XI on Monday was: 1-Alyssa Naeher; 5-Kelley O’Hara, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn (Capt.), 7-Abby Dahlkemper, 19-Crystal Dunn; 8-Julie Ertz, 3-Samantha Mewis, 9-Lindsey Horan; 15-Megan Rapinoe 10-Carli Lloyd, 6-Lynn Williams
Remember that was Carli Lloyd’s first match back since the 2020 SheBelievesCup, and after recovering from a knee injury that had kept her out of action for the whole of the remainder of 2020. If she plays tonight she’ll earn her 296th cap.
The players who didn’t get a run out on Monday may well get a chance tonight: Ali Krieger, Tierna Davidson, Ashlyn Harris, Andi Sullivan, Aubrey Bledsoe, Jaelin Howell, Emily Fox and Alana Cook could all see action.
Fans of course will be hoping to see Catarina Macario. The Brazilian-born American made her debut on Monday and she was a scoring machine at Stanford, before moving to Lyon in France.
USA vs Colombia: International friendly - how and where to watch - times, TV, online
How to tune in to USA vs Colombia
Of course we hope you'll be along with us for the ride, but if you want to have the game on in the background, then Cal's down the legwork to show you how to tune in...
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of tonight’s women’s international soccer friendly between the US Women's Team and Colombia. This match closes out January camp, and is a repeat of Monday’s fixture, where the USWNT beat the visitors 4-0, with goals from Sam Mewis and Kristie Mewis.
This is the final match for the US ahead of the 2021 SheBelievesCup, which is being held here in the Exploria Stadium on Feb 18-24.