USWNT - Colombia summary: score, goals and highlights | 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup
USWNT vs Colombia: as it happened
Peep peep peeeep! The USWNT blew Colombia away with a three-goal first-half blitz, and have cruised into the semi-finals.
Aside from a short spell in the latter stages of the opening 45, the Colombians were very disappointing. Indeed, the US could well have added a fourth after the break.
The tournament hosts now move on to a last-four clash against North American rivals Canada, who beat Costa Rica yesterday.
Be sure to join us for coverage of that semi-final, which takes place at Snapdragon Stadium on Wednesday. It kicks off at 10:15pm ET/7:15pm PT, and we'll have live-text commentary of the clash. Build-up will begin about an hour before kick-off in San Diego.
Thanks for reading!
Purce scampers into the Colombia box, but just as she prepares to pull the trigger, Caicedo does well to get back and poke it behind for a corner.
Coffey takes the corner, and Moultrie heads over at the back post.
After each being given a heavy dabbing with the magic sponge, they're all back on their feet.
There'll be three minutes of time added on in Los Angeles.
Colombia withdraw Izquierdo, who makes way for Lady Andrade.
Nighswonger earns deserved cheers of approval after winning a tackle despite being on the floor at the time. She's had a fine evening at BMO Stadium.
We then have a stoppage after a threeway collision between Carabalí, Usme and Smith. Usme appears to be the worst off of the three.
Caicedo brings it forward on the right, before wrapping her right boot around a cross. It deflects off Nighswonger and behind for a corner.
Usme takes, but it's headed away. A couple of first-half openings aside, Colombia have looked pretty toothless today.
The USWNT replace Horan with Emily Sonnett.
Oh dear, Moultrie can't sort her feet out and loses the chance to shoot.
The USWNT keep the ball for a good minute or so, before upping the tempo and working it to the substitute in space inside the box. Had she been able to control, she was probably in for a fourth. However, she gets herself into a tangle and is dispossessed.
Again Usme has the opportunity to swing a free-kick into the USWNT area, but Horan heads away.
Usme whips a right-wing free-kick into the USWNT box - and it's a fine delivery. Pavi is closest to it, but can't quite get her head to it. Naeher grabs hold.
That's a fine chance for Moultrie, but she sidefoots just wide!
The substitutes combine, Smith cutting it back from the byline for Moultrie, who was arriving in space on the penalty spot. She tried to open up her body and guide the ball on into the far corner, but her aim was just off. Should really have been a fourth.
Pavi is booked after committing a foul, and complains bitterly about it.
That's neat combination play from Colombia, who work it right to Carolina Arias in crossing space on the right.
Arias delivers... but the USWNT clear. The Colombians have been such a disappointment.
The USWNT make a double change, replacing Morgan and Albert with Sophia Smith and Oliva Moultrie.
Twenty minutes to go at BMO Stadium.
Barring a miraculous turnaround, the USWNT will be facing Canada in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
...and Morgan should make it four!
Coffey clips the dead ball over to Horan at the far post, where the midfielder nods it back across the face of goal. Horan's header drops to Morgan with an empty net in front of her, but she can only hook it over the bar! I was maybe a little behind her.
Now Restrepo is shown a yellow card, after bringing Lavelle down.
That gives the USWNT a promising free-kick in the left-hand channel...
Horan is booked after kicking out at Salazar.
Usme then thumps a free-kick from deep into the USWNT penalty box - but it misses everyone and trickles out for a goal-kick.
Just as I say that, Caicedo darts forward on the left. Can she conjure something up? She gets her head up, and slips it back to Pavi.
Pavi advances into the US area and shoots - but it's blocked.
Receiving the ball on the left wing, Caicedo slaps a hopeful ball towards the USWNT box, but the home defence deals with it with the minimum of fuss.
Colombia look like a beaten team.
Nighswonger's deliveries into the area are so dangerous. She clips a lovely left-wing cross over towards Purce at the back post, but the substitute can't get her head on it. If she had, it was a point-blank-range chance.
A moment earlier, Lavelle had skipped into the area from the left, but overhit her cross.
Nighswonger tries to slip Lavelle into the box for a fourth, but Carabalí is quickly across to intercept the ball and clear.
It's been a much quieter game since the break - which, I'm sure, will suit the USWNT right down to the ground.
The US made that substitution just before Albert went close, incidentally. Rose Lavelle replaced Shaw.
That's a fine strike by Albert, but Giraldo does well to get down and parry!
Inside the right-hand channel, Albert works a yard of space to shoot, and sends a low effort towards Giraldo's right-hand bottom corner. It's just too close to the keeper, though.
Vanegas and Caicedo combine neatly on the left wing, but Restrepo's pass is wayward and the Colombians give it back to the US.
The hosts are about to make another change.
Morgan turns and sets off towards goal, but is brought down by Carabalí. The defender is on a yellow card, remember, but she escapes with no further punishment.
From deep on the right wing, Usme pumps a ball into the USWNT box... but it's overhit. It bounces through to Naeher.
Albert delivers high towards the penalty spot, where Horan leaps to meet it. She's well placed to test Giraldo, but can't get a good connection on her header, and the chance is lost.
Horan lays it left to Purce, who is pulled back by Vanegas.
The USWNT have a free-kick on the right wing, which Albert will send into the area.
Just on for Colombia, Salazar floors Horan with a hefty, full-body challenge. Horan is left in a heap on the floor, but play goes on.
On the left wing, Pavi cuts inside and jinks into the US box, but can't find a Colombian shirt with her ball into the middle.
Barón, Restrepo and Salazar are on for Daniela Arias, Montoya and Bedoya.
The US have also made a half-time substitution, replacing Rodman with Midge Purce.
Peeep! We're back underway.
Colombia to make triple HT change
As expected, Colombia are to shuffle their pack ahead of the second half.
Ángel Barón, Marcela Restrepo and Liana Salazar are all preparing to come on.
Shaw goes joint-second in goal charts
Courtesy of CONCACAF's social-media team, here's a pitchside view of Jaedyn Shaw's third for the US.
That takes Shaw to three goals in the W Gold Cup, by the way - she's now level with Paraguay's Jessica Martínez. Only Mexico's Lizbeth Ovalle and Canada's Adriana Leon, with five each, have scored more.
Half-time food for thought for Cafeteras
Where do Colombia go from here? After that nightmare first 30 minutes, they were better in the closing stages of that first 45 - but they've been so brittle at the back.
It would be no surprise to see Ángelo Marsiglia make half-time changes.
Peeep peeep peeep! Colombia narrowly avoid the concession of a fourth goal, and that's the half.
The first half an hour was a disaster for the Colombians. They then came back into it in the last third of the half, but that third US goal leaves the four-time world champions with one foot in the semis.
Horan takes… and she hits the post!
Again the US come haring forward, before Horan is felled juuuust outside the Colombia box.
It's not a penalty, but it's still a very, very dangerous free-kick chance. A fourth really would be curtains for the Colombians.
Colombia had improved in the last quarter of an hour or so... but the US are all but out of sight now. It's been a defensive horror show for Las Cafeteras.
Goal! Shaw prods home a third for the US!
Just as I was thinking that it had been a little while since the hosts mounted an attack of real substance, they charge forward and score another!
Again, it's too easy. Rodman is released on the right wing, where she has too much time to look up and spot Shaw's run towards the penalty spot.
Her low ball finds Shaw, who turns it past Giraldo! The US are running away with this quarter-final tie.
We're into the first of six additional minutes.
When Colombia manage to get Caicedo on the ball, she looks like making things happen.
Dropping deep to collect, the 19-year-old drifts inside and tries to ping an angled through ball into Pavi. It's too close to Naeher, though, and the keeper clears.
Now Montoya finds space to shoot from 25 yards out - but she skies it. Colombia could really rather do with scoring before the break; they've come alive in attack, and need to make the most of this improved spell.
Five minutes left in the first half at BMO Stadium. It's been a really entertaining opening 45.
Rodman is back on for the US, by the way.
That's a fine save by Naeher! It's so close to being 2-1.
Thundering forward down the right wing, Carolina Arias zips a low ball to Izquierdo on the penalty spot. She strikes first time towards Naeher's left-hand corner, but the USWNT goalkeeper gets down quickly to turn the shot past the post! A huge save.
Just as I'm about to type that this is much more like it from Colombia, Vanegas punts a pass straight out of play.
Ángelo Marsiglia's side do appear to have stemmed the US' forward flow for now, though.
Rodman is down and in need of treatment, with what appears to be some sort of problem in her right leg.
The players take the chance to have a swig of water, before Rodman gingerly gets back to her feet. I'm not sure whether or not she'll be able to continue.
Pavi wants a free-kick when she tumbles under Shaw's challenge on the right, but she won't get one. The Colombians do have a throw-in, though.
Colombia are finally starting to build up a head of steam in attack. Carolina Arias delivers into the penalty box - and, although the US clear it, Las Cafeteras win it right back and come again.
That's better from Colombia - and, in particular, Caicedo.
Inside the US half, the forward spins and sets off towards goal, before shooting from 25 yards or so. She digs out a venomous drive, but Naeher parries! It was heading towards the top corner.
Oh, dearie me. Rodman almost cuts out Daniela Arias' ball out from the back. Colombia are having huge difficulties when they bring it out of defence.
For the first time I can remember, Colombia pin the US back for something resembling a sustained period. Usme tries to jink her way into shooting space, before Caicedo takes over. She looks to feed a low ball into the Americans' area, but it's comfortably cut out.
Oh, my. Again Rodman conjures up a nutmeg, drawing roars of approval from the US fans as she skips past Vanegas and into the box. She can't deliver, though.
Can Colombia finally get going and hit back right away?
They win a free-kick on the left... but the delivery into the US box is cleared.
Goal! Nighswonger drills it home and the US are two to the good!
It's such a simple goal, and the hosts extend their lead. It's lifted forward to Morgan, who nods it down to Nighswonger on the left.
Arriving at pace, Nighswonger pings it first time into the far corner, with Giraldo helpless.
Over on the right wing, Rodman tussles with Daniela Arias - and again it gets a little fiery. The pair square up to each other, and Rodman is booked.
Now Horan shoots from just outside of the Colombian area, but thumps the bouncing ball off target.
Colombia are all over the shop.
I tell you what, Colombia are rocking here.
Back come the US, Nighswonger delivering from the left. Daniela Arias is first to it, but plops her clearance right at the feet of Shaw.
Shaw has time and space to pick her spot from the edge of the area, but fires just off target!
Blimey. First, Shaw almost heads the corner into the Colombia net, but sends her effort just past the post.
A moment later, Giraldo and Carabalí get themselves in a right old mess as they try to play it out from the back, almost allowing Shaw to nick it off their toes inside the penalty area. Las Cafeteras survive, but the US are getting a lot of joy out of their efforts to win it back high up the field.
The USWNT have their tails up now. Rodman produces a lovely nutmeg on the right wing, before the Americans win a corner.
Before the corner can be taken, there's a little bit of argie-bargie between Morgan and Usme. That leads, I think to a yellow card for both of them. It's not abundantly clear to whom the referee showed the card.
Goal! Horan scores from the spot!
She sends Giraldo the wrong way, and the USWNT have an early lead in LA!
After a VAR check, the penalty is confirmed. Carabalí is booked for her foul on Morgan.
Penalty to the USWNT!
Again the US win it back deep in Colombian territory. Morgan plays a one-two with Horan and streaks into the area, where she's barged over by Carabalí.
Oh, that's lovely play by Caicedo. Cutting inside from the left, she clips an inch-perfect ball over the USWNT defence and into Usme's run into the box - but Usme can't bring it under her spell. The chance is lost.
The USWNT win it back from high up in the Colombia half, allowing Rodman to lay it off for Horan to shoot.
Shoot she does, but she has a gaggle of Colombian shirts on top of her in an instant, and can only drag a weak effort straight into Giraldo's arms.
Colombia enjoy their first attack of any real substance, working it down the right-hand touchline towards Caicedo.
The Real Madrid star wriggles her way into space inside the USWNT box, but she's wide and at an acute angle. She takes aim at goal, but it's an easy take for Naeher.
Horan cuts inside and tries to feed it into the box, but Colombia clear.
However, they get it away only as far as Nighswonger, who lifts it back towards the danger area - but it's too long for Morgan. It runs through to Giraldo, who pulls the ball into her arms.
Colombia are pressing with real intensity in this opening stages; Las Cafeteras are snapping at the USWNT players' heels.
Linda Caicedo gives away a free-kick over on the left wing, and earns herself an early talking-to from the referee.
The US, decked out in their white and blue home colours, look to bring it forward early doors through Morgan.
She slips it inside for Shaw to run at the Colombian backline, but the youngster is dispossessed.
Peeeeep! Marianela Araya gets us underway!
Last look at the line-ups
Anthems, check; coin toss, check; it's time to go in California. Here's a final reminder of the teams:
USWNT:
Naeher, Fox, Nighswonger, Girma, Davidson, Albert, Horan, Coffey, Rodman, Shaw, Morgan.
Colombia:
Giraldo, C. Arias, Carabalí, D. Arias, Vanegas, Bedoya, Montoya, Izquierdo, Paví, Caicedo, Usme.
Teams out at BMO Stadium!
The USWNT and Colombia players have made their way out onto the field in LA; we're just minutes from kick-off.
It's anthem time. Colombia first.
A microphone has been pushed up nice and close to the Colombian team as they belt out their anthem, and I can confirm that they should not be in a rush to give up the day job.
Who is the VAR for USWNT vs Colombia?
Nicaragua’s Tatiana Guzmán will be the video assistant referee in Los Angeles, and Mexico’s Amairany García will be the assistant VAR.
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Tonight's match referee, by the way, will be Costa Rica's Marianela Araya.
Araya's assistant referees will be Suriname’s Mijensa Rensch and El Salvador’s Lidia Ayala.
We've put together a short profile of the woman in the middle at BMO Stadium.
Caicedo a contender for Laureus gong
While Colombia’s rising star Linda Caicedo did not make the group stage’s top team, the teenager has just been nominated for a Laureus Sports Award.
Caicedo is up for Breakthrough of the Year, together with fellow Real Madrid player Jude Bellingham.
The nominees for the accolade also include tennis star Coco Gauff, swimmer Qin Haiyang, track athlete Josh Kerr and soccer player Salma Paralluelo.
We’ll find out the winner at the Laureus Sports Awards in Madrid in April.
FCF
Shaw, Usme named in group stage's best XI
The US and Colombia have a representative each in the Gold Cup group stage’s ideal XI, which CONCACAF announced after the conclusion of the round-robin phase.
From the USWNT, Jaedyn Shaw was included after netting twice in Group A, with both goals coming in the 4-0 matchday-two win over Argentina.
For the Colombians, meanwhile, it was Catalina Usme who got the nod. Usme also scored two goals in the group stage, in addition to supplying three assists.
Group-stage ideal XI in full:
Sydey Martínez (Puerto Rico), Rafaelle (Brazil), Kadeisha Buchanan (Canada), Karen Luna (Mexico), Jessie Fleming (Canada), Priscila Chinchilla (Costa Rica), Duda Santos (Brazil), Jacqueline Ovalle (Mexico), Jaedyn Shaw (USWNT), Catalina Usme (Colombia), Adriana Leon (Canada).
US on long unbeaten run against South Americans
Not only do the USWNT have an excellent record against Colombia, but their form against South American sides in general is impressive.
The Stars and Stripes are undefeated in their past 26 games against CONMEBOL teams - a sequence that includes 17 wins in the last 18.
First competitive encounter since 2016
The last six meetings between the United States and Colombia have all been friendlies.
The last competitive clash between the two nations came eight years ago, at the Olympics in Rio, where they played out a 2-2 group-stage draw.
Alex Goodlett/USSF / Getty Images for USSF
When was the USWNT and Colombia's most recent meeting?
The countries last met in October, in a double-header of friendlies.
The teams drew 0-0 in Sandy, Utah, before the US beat Las Cafeteras 3-0 in San Diego three days later. Mia Fishel, Lindsey Horan and Jaedyn Shaw got the goals for Twila Kilgore’s side.
US unbeaten against Colombia
Today’s game in Los Angeles will be the 13th meeting between the USWNT and Colombia - and the South Americans are still looking for their first win over the Stars and Stripes.
The US have registered 10 victories and two draws against the Colombians.
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If, at this late stage, you're still wondering where you can watch the USWNT vs Colombia, might I suggest you peruse our guide on how to tune in on TV or online.
Mexico set up Seleçao semi
Having beaten Paraguay, Mexico will face Brazil in the last four on Wednesday.
The Brazilians absolutely romped into the semis on Saturday, thumping Argentina 5-1. Bia Zaneratto hit a double for the Seleçao, while Vitória, Yasmim and Gabi Nunes were also on the scoresheet.
Ovalle level with Leon
Ovalle, incidentally, has now drawn level with Canada's Adriana Leon at the top of the Gold Cup scoring charts. Both players have five goals to their name.
Mexico prevail over Paraguay to seal semi-final spot
In today's earlier Gold Cup quarter-final, by the way, Mexico booked their last-four berth with an entertaining win over Paraguay.
La Tri triumphed 3-2, with Lizbeth Ovalle grabbing a brace at BMO Stadium. In between that Ovalle double, Karen Luna was on target for the Mexicans. She'll be over the moon about that goal, etc and so on.
Camila Barbosa and Rebeca Fernández replied for the Paraguayans.
Colombia boss Marsiglia makes trio of changes
There are three changes to the Colombia team that started the win over Puerto Rico.
Daniela Arias, Lorena Bedoya and Daniela Montoya return to Ángelo Marsiglia's starting line-up, with Ángela Barón, Marcela Restrepo and Liana Salazar dropping to the bench.
Naeher wins 100th US cap
By the way, USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher completes her century of international caps today.
Confirmed Colombia line-up
The Colombia line-up has just been announced. It is: Giraldo, C. Arias, Carabalí, D. Arias, Vanegas, Bedoya, Montoya, Izquierdo, Paví, Caicedo, Usme.
Kilgore rings the changes for US
Twila Kilgore has made no fewer than six changes to the USWNT side that began Tuesday's defeat to Mexico.
Jenna Nighswonger, Naomi Girma and Tierna Davidson all come into the defence, while midfielder Korin Albert, forward Jaedyn Shaw and veteran striker Alex Morgan also return to the line-up.
Abby Dahlkemper, Becky Sauerbrunn, Crystal Dunn, Rose Lavelle, Sophia Smith and Lynn Williams make way.
Cheerful Colombians check in at BMO
We're still awaiting confirmation of the Colombians' line-up, but here - courtesy of the South Americans' social-media team - are some pictures of the smiling Cafeteras as they arrived at BMO Stadium a short while ago.
USWNT confirmed line-up
The USWNT XI is up. Head coach Twila Kilgore has gone with: Naeher, Fox, Nighswonger, Girma, Davidson, Albert, Horan, Coffey, Rodman, Shaw, Morgan.
Winners to clash with Canucks in SFs
The US and Colombia will be battling it out for the right to face Canada in the Gold Cup semi-finals.
The Canadians progressed to the last four on Saturday, Evelyne Viens’ extra-time goal earning the North Americans a 1-0 win over Costa Rica.
USWNT locker room all set
Some clutch folding and hanging from the USWNT kitpersons, there.
How did Colombia reach the quarter-finals?
Colombia, meanwhile, are through to the W Gold Cup quarter-finals having also finished as runners-up in their section.
Las Cafeteras took second in Group B thanks to wins over Panama and Puerto Rico - the first of which was a thumping, 6-0 triumph.
After beginning their campaign by thrashing the Panamanians, Ángelo Marsiglia’s then side narrowly lost to the Brazilians, before making sure of automatic qualification with 2-0 win over the Puerto Ricans on matchday three.
(Photo: Sean M. Haffey / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
USWNT's unbeaten streaks come to an end
Mexico's win over the USWNT was also the four-time world champions' first home loss to CONCACAF opposition since 2000 - an unbeaten run that had lasted for a whopping 80 games.
What's more, the defeat in Carson is the first time that the Stars and Stripes have ever been beaten in a game played in the state of California.
USWNT win a historic scalp for the Mexicans
Tuesday's defeat was only the USWNT's second ever loss to Mexico in 43 all-time meetings with La Tri.
And both Mexican goals were beauts in their own way: Lizbeth Ovalle gave Pedro López's side a first-half lead with an inch-perfect chip, before Mayra Pelayo sealed the points at the death with a delicious curling shot from range.
Mexico loss earns US tough QF
The USWNT have certainly made things a lot harder for themselves by losing 2-0 to Mexico in the final round of Group A games.
The result at Dignity Health Sports Park saw the Mexicans leapfrog the tournament hosts at the top of the group, and meant that the Americans headed into the quarter-finals as only the No. 4 seed.
So, while the USWNT got Colombia in the last eight, the Mexicans were paired with a lower seed in the shape of Paraguay - who are 27 places below the Colombians in the FIFA world rankings.
(Photo: Ronald Martínez/Getty Images via AFP)
USWNT vs Colombia: welcome!
Hello! In the last of the W Gold Cup quarter-final ties, we have a thoroughly enticing clash coming up at BMO Stadium.
The USWNT, a side licking their wounds from a historic defeat to Mexico, take on Colombia - who will be chasing a landmark victory of their own against the Stars and Stripes.
Kick-off in Los Angeles is at 8:15pm ET/5:15pm PT.