USWNT Sputters in 0-0 Draw With Columbia

SANDY – Since the close of this summer’s international football showcase in New Zealand and Australia, the resulting FIFA Women’s Soccer rankings say little about the pent-up potential of the ranked teams. This past Thursday night, FIFA’s 22rd ranked Columbia played against the 3rd ranked United States before a patriotic crowd of just over 13,000 fans in Sandy, Utah.

They look like they are poised to move up the table. Las Cafeteras picked up where they left off in Australia, as a very capable Women’s World Cup Tournament quarterfinalist, while the early-to-exit United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) posted yet game where they lacked the ability to finish. 

Every fan of Team USA remembers that the tournament favorite, and number one ranked team in the world, was eliminated in the Round of 16 on penalties after a scoreless outcome with Sweden. It was the earliest World Cup departure ever for the Americans. An embarrassment too.

This competitive nil-to-nil friendly Columbia was one a many that both sides have on their respective to-do lists, as ready themselves for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. Columbia’s game plan involved downright stalling the U.S.’ still sputtering offense, then try to sneak in a goal past their stellar defense which has been oh-so dominant for nearly a year.  During the entire, yet abridged World Cup tournament,  the Lady Yanks’ defensive unit allowed just two shots on goal.

When the final whistle blew in Utah, the Yanks’ defense prevailed again, while Columbia rather effectively prevented the U.S. from finishing in their final third. Call it a win-win for both sides.

Team USA did fire off 12 shot, however, only two were on target. The best opportunities to score landed in the laps of  Sophia Smith and Alex Morgan.

The veteran Morgan put a dent into the goal post on her penalty kick:

Later in the match, Smith who came in as a substitute, shook the post twice with her rocket-like shot on goal:

Smith said, “It felt good just to get minutes and get that confidence back.” She is still recovering from a MCL knee injury and has been on the mend in Portland with the NWSL Thorns’ medical team supervising her progress. 

“I think we need to do a better job of keeping the ball and playing a cleaner game, finishing the chances that we get, but also creating more chances I think we can build off that and ultimately just play better.” 

Lindsey Horan’s attempts to assist Morgan a goal never came to fruition as Morgan shot far wide. In the 31st minute, Horan attempted a freekick. Regrettably for the Rush Soccer alumni, her kick flew over the crossbar. Late in the game game she took a hard swat to the head and was tended to my her trainers and medical unit.

Colombia’s attack was stifled. They only got off just two shots at fridge American First Field. It is worth mentioning that their top striker and all-time leading scorer, Catalina Usme, did not join the team on this trip. She shined during the tournament Down-Under and propelled Columbia into the Quarterfinals. 

“I think the first thing is to acknowledge just what a good job Colombia did — they’re a good team,” said interim head coach Twila Kilgore during her post game press conference, “We’re not satisfied with the 0-0 draw, we want to create more chances to score, we want to finish those chances.” She added, “We need to score more.” 

The rivals will suit up on Sunday in San Diego’s new Snapdragon Stadium. Kilgore and her staff will select 23 players to suit up for match. 

Kick-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. MT, with broadcast coverage available on TNT, Max, Telemundo, Universo, Peacock and FDP Radio.

For the still-in-transition USWNT, these past six months have amounted to a Scooby-Doo mystery adventure. Fortunately, they have nine months before the Summer Games start to solve their conundrum, and hopefully win their six-Olympic team gold medal. During the postponed Tokyo Olympics, the team returned stateside wearing bronze medals.

With more friendlies scheduled in December and in 2024, plus a new head coach to be announced, the Americans have ample time to reboot.

Photo Credit: John Babiak.

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