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RECAP: USWNT Win SheBelieves Cup over Colombia in Harrison, 1-0
Chelsea FC forward Alyssa Thompson lifted the United States women’s national team to a 1-0 win over Colombia on Saturday at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Her 82nd-minute curler clinched an eighth SheBelieves Cup title for the USWNT.
It also avenged last year’s loss to Japan, ending the USWNT’s run of consecutive championships.
On a cold, wet, overcast Saturday in Harrison, New Jersey, the SheBelieves Cup felt like it was going to be a slow one. A scoreless draw in the day’s opener between Canada and Argentina meant both teams needed a win in the second match. Instead, after 80 minutes, and with a US goal seemingly on the cusp, anticipation built.
The game is the second time in six months that US Soccer has seen a national team play in Harrison. Last September, the U.S. Men lost 2-0 to South Korea in a friendly at the stadium.
It was also a day where legends were honored, with former USWNT star Tobin Heath given a proper retirement ceremony before kickoff. The Basking Ridge, NJ native had just under 200 caps with the national team.
US Shakey Start
A physical first 45 in Harrison saw neither team score a goal. The filled-out Sports Illustrated Stadium, officially 22,385 in attendance, saw a loud minority of fans supporting Colombia.
US head coach Emma Hayes said after the match that her team looked “average” in the first half. It’s hard to argue that point. It honestly felt below standard. Colombia did a great job of disrupting the American buildup. They came very close to a goal on two different occasions, including one right before the whistle.
Colombia’s offense, despite being out-possessed, was easily putting more pressure on the United States. Leicy Santos had a slick heel pass to Maithé López in the box that had the crowd in Harrison roaring. Colombia is putting plenty of pressure on the USWNT’s defense.
The United States’ best chance came late in the half. A cross from the left side from Avery Patterson finds Gotham FC’s Rose Lavelle. She redirects the ball on target, but it’s saved by Colombia’s Katherine Tapia in the 42nd minute.
It really was Colombia using its speed and quick passing to keep the “home side’s” defense on edge. The United States struggled to create quality scoring opportunities. They relied on the wide areas as Colombia blocked off the middle, both defensively and offensively.
It did not help that the U.S. was getting fouled. Colombia committed eight fouls, compared to the USWNT’s four.
Fresh legs, Thompson Breaks Through for USWNT
No changes for Colombia, keeping what might still work, while Tara McKeown took over for Naomi Girma for the USWNT. Not long after, Jaedyn Shaw, Emma Sears, and Olivia Moultrie also came onto the pitch. Right away, it was clear the U.S. was coming out strong, putting more pressure on the South American side’s backline.
A 60th chance was the best at that point for America. U.S. runs a counter-attack. A seemingly trapped Rose Lavelle sent a diagonal ball to Alyssa Thompson. That broke Colombia’s scheme, leaving Thompson one-on-one with a defender. But after cutting laterally onto her right to create space, she misfires and sends her shot wide right.
Ten minutes later, Lindsey Heaps nearly scores on a diving header in the box, but Colombia’s Katherine Tapia makes the save. It turned out to be offside anyway.
The breakthrough came in the 84th. After the U.S. ran counter to get into the attacking third, Jaedyn Shaw fed Thompson at the top of the box. She ran a shot before sending a hard shot into the top-left corner, dinging the inside of the woodwork and bouncing in over the line.
The final whistle eventually rang, and the U.S. secured the SheBelieves Cup for an eighth time in the competition’s history. They won after three wins over Argentina, Canada, and now Colombia.
Saturday’s result was also an eighth straight shutout for the United States, which hasn’t allowed a goal since a 3-1 victory over Portugal in October.
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