USWNT recovers from shocking defeat to advance to Women’s Gold Cup semi-finals with 3-0 win over Colombia

LOS ANGELES – Jenna Nighswonger and Jaedyn Shaw scored in the first half and the United States rebounded from a loss to Mexico to beat Colombia 3-0 on Sunday night and advance to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup.

Lindsey Horan also converted a penalty in the opening minutes for the Americans, who were recovering from the embarrassment of their 2-0 defeat against Mexico in the last game of their group match last Monday. The USA regained its dominant form against an impressive Colombia team that reached the quarter-finals of last year’s World Cup.

The USA will face Canada in the Gold Cup semifinals in San Diego on Wednesday. Mexico faces Brazil in the other semifinal after beating Paraguay 3-2 at BMO Stadium earlier Sunday.

The defeat against Mexico highlighted a steady decline in results over the past few years for this perennial world football power, including a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics and a Round of 16 exit from last year’s World Cup. But this victory showed that the current Americans had enough talent and athleticism to turn even a tough match into a comfortable victory; especially while their young stars have a chance to develop.

The impressive first-half offensive attack was highlighted by Shaw, the Americans’ 19-year-old rising star. When she scored from a sharp pass from fellow teenager Trinity Rodman, she joined Shannon Boxx as the only players in US history to score in their first three international starts.

The USA had kept a clean sheet against CONCACAF opposition in their previous 33 games before Mexico scored twice, but the defense, led by goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and Naomi Girma, brought the Americans back to a clean sheet against Colombia. Ten years on the US team.

A raucous crowd supported the United States’ efforts to get back on track at Angel City FC’s home stadium just south of downtown Los Angeles, and the team was awarded an early penalty when Jorelyn Carabali brought down a running Alex Morgan in the 10th minute. Horan stammered before burying it for his second penalty conversion of the Gold Cup.

In the first half, both teams gained physical superiority; Morgan and Maria Usme were matched with yellow cards during the position. Rodman received another yellow card a few minutes later for kicking Daniela Arias, who was angered by the Colombian defender’s crafty play.

Nighswonger extended the lead to 2-0 with a powerful strike in the 22nd minute, resulting in the Southern California native’s second career international goal. The 23-year-old Gotham FC defender graduated from Huntington Beach High School.

Colombia increased their pressure but Naeher made two impressive saves from Real Madrid youngster Linda Caicedo’s shots.

The USA took a 3-0 lead in first-half injury time when Shaw hit Rodman’s through pass for his third goal of the tournament and fifth in eight games of his career. The Americans’ attack has been even more impressive this tournament with the quick and creative Shaw, who plays for San Diego’s NWSL team, on the court.