Women’s World Cup: U.S. Defeats Colombia and Moves on to the Quarterfinals

The U.S. women’s team is on a vengeful path. After having been so close to World Cup victory four years ago – finishing runner-up to Japan – the team has nothing but their sights set at winning it all this year.

The second-ranked Americans faced an early challenge in the Women’s World Cup knockout stages. Even Coach Jill Ellis recognized the intrepid Colombian team that appeared before them. Coach Ellis knew the Colombian women would come out with intent, especially with the lingering memory of the 3-0 loss from the 2012 Olympic Games.

The overwhelming majority, however, favored the U.S. women in this matchup due to their historical record against the South American rival, and the Colombians were left vulnerable without their starting goalkeeper, Sandra Sepulveda, who accumulated enough yellow cards to warrant a one-game suspension.

It probably was not the best timing for Sepulveda, but despite losing their number one goalkeeper, Catalina Perez, a 20-year-old sophomore at University of Miami, stepped in mightily and defended her side for the entire first half.

“It’s a game I’ve played in my head thousands of times,” Perez said before the game. “It’s what has motivated me throughout my career.”

Colombia held the U.S. scoreless, a testament to both sides’ strengths and weaknesses. What clearly stood out from the first half was the determination of the Colombian women and the lack of offensive fluidity on the part of the Americans. Prior to the game, the U.S. only scored six goals in four matches, but their defense remained stout, preventing any netted goals for 333 minutes.

 

 

The story changed two minutes into the second half when Perez recklessly tripped Alex Morgan at the edge of the penalty box, prompting French referee Stephanie Frappart to red card Perez and award a penalty kick. It was the turnaround that stoked the U.S.

Stefany Castaño, a year older than Perez, came into the game facing all time leading goal scorer Abby Wambach. With 183 international goals under her belt, Wambach approached the penalty kick, and fortunately for Castaño, she sent the shot wide of the post.

The missed penalty shot could not undo the Colombian’s team susceptibility to U.S. attacks. Soon after, revived Alex Morgan charged down the right side of the box, striking a shot towards the near post that ricocheted off of Castaño’s arm and into the back of the net.

“It’s definitely a little bit a sigh of relief,” Morgan said in regards to her first goal for the national team since March 6.

“As a forward, we always want to score goals, we’re expected to score goals, and we needed that breakthrough after not converting the penalty. It was a breath of fresh air.”

 

 

13 minutes later Megan Rapinoe, the creative force behind the women’s midfield and the only multi-goal scorer, was taken down in the penalty box. Wambach’s penalty duties were replaced by Carli Lloyd, who has not been in her best form lately, but she decisively put the U.S. ahead by two goals.

The round of 16 win against Colombia was simultaneously crucial and hurtful. The U.S. women’s team moves on to face China in the quarterfinals, another matchup heavily favoring the Americans. However, they will be without two significant players on the field: Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday. Each picked up their second yellow card in the first half against Colombia, resulting in a suspension.

When the U.S. captain was questioned on whether those plays merited a yellow card, Wambach said,

“I don’t know if they were yellows. It seemed like she was purposefully giving those yellows to maybe players that she knew were sitting on yellows. I don’t know if that was just a psychological thing, who knows. Who knows.”

The women’s team does not seem to be in a panic as they are confident in the depth of their roster.

“Obviously we’ve got some decisions to make, but we’ve invested in players significantly in the past six months,” Coach Ellis said. “We’ve dealt with injuries. I feel very confident in the players we have to be able to come on and contribute. And I know they are going to be confident to step up and help us advance.”

On behalf of the changes to the starting lineup, Ellis mentioned that Morgan Brian from the University of Virginia will likely start in place of Holiday, and Christen Press will replace Rapinoe.

Rapinoe’s presence will surely be missed, given that she seems to be the only catalyst on the offensive end. Hopefully, fans will see continued success with Alex Morgan, who after recovering from a knee injury, appears to have finally found her form again.

 

 

Related posts