Jenna Nighswonger and Jaedyn Shaw scored in the first half, and the United States bounced back from its loss to Mexico with a 3-0 victory over Colombia on Sunday night to 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 shook off the embarrassment of their 2-0 defeat to Mexico last Monday in the final group match. The US was back in dominant form against a strong Colombian team that reached the World Cup quarter-finals last year.
The U.S. will face Canada in the semifinals in San Diego on Wednesday.
The loss to Mexico highlighted the old world power’s steady decline in results in recent years, including a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics and an elimination in the round of 16 of last year’s World Cup. But this win showed that this group of players still has enough talent and athleticism to turn even a tough match into a comfortable victory – especially when their young stars are given the opportunity to flourish.
The impressive first half was highlighted by Shaw, the Americans’ 19-year-old rising star. When she scored on a crisp pass from colleague Trinity Rodman, she joined Shannon Boxx as the only players in American history to score in each of their first three international starts.
The US had not conceded a goal to a Concacaf opponent in their previous 33 games before Mexico scored twice against them last Monday, but goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and a defense led by Naomi Girma got the Americans back to a clean sheet, with Naeher achieved her 43rd place. shutout against the American team for a decade.
A loud crowd supported America’s 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 sent a sprinting shot in the 10th minute Alex Morgan took down. Horan stuttered her step before burying her second penalty conversion of the Gold Cup.
Both teams had a physical advantage in the first half, with Morgan and Maria Usme receiving the same yellow cards for a stretch as they battled for position. Rodman was booked again a few minutes later for kicking at Daniela Arias in frustration due to the Colombian defender’s cagey play.
Nighswonger made it 2-0 in the 22nd minute, resulting in the Southern California native’s second international goal. The 23-year-old Gotham FC defender graduated from Huntington Beach High School.
Colombia piled on the pressure but Naeher made two impressive saves from shots by Real Madrid teenager Linda Caicedo.
The U.S. went 3-0 into first-half stoppage time when Shaw turned in Rodman’s pass for her third goal of the tournament and fifth in eight career appearances. The Americans’ offense is clearly more impressive in this tournament when the speedy, creative Shaw – who plays for San Diego’s NWSL team – is on the field.
In the other match of the evening, Lizbeth Ovalle scored two goals as Mexico advanced to the semi-finals with a 3-2 win over Paraguay. Karen Luna also scored and Esthefanny Barreras saved a penalty for Mexico, who followed their historic victory over the US by beating Paraguay in a thrilling second half with four goals and many more chances for both teams. Ovalle extended her star performance in this tournament by scoring in each half against Paraguay, giving her five goals in the Gold Cup match. Camila Barbosa and Rebeca Fernandez scored for Paraguay in the second half.
