US beats Colombia 2-0 to advance to quarterfinals
It was a costly 2-0 victory to advance to the quarterfinals for the US women’s soccer team. As the team took advantage of an early second half red card that sent starting Colombia goalkeeper Catalina Perez off the field, they also lost both Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday for their next game against China on Friday.
In the team’s opening contest against Australian both Rapinoe and Holiday were dealt yellow cards and both picked up their second in the first half against Colombia. Shannon Boxx also did not play because of a leg injury and looks like she’ll be doubtful for the China game as well.
Despite the victory, the United State still have to figure something out with their attack, even more now with key players set to miss their next game.
Sydney Leroux’ struggles the first three games led to her not even playing against Colombia. She will have to play against China, though. What was nice to see was Alex Morgan playing at an elite level. She pressures Colombia the entire game and in the 53rd minute scored a goal. She also set up Christen Press perfectly on a header but Press was unable to control the ball with no defender anywhere near her.
Carli Lloyd also punched in a penalty goal in the 66th minute. She has played pretty much perfect through the team’s first four games.
Abby Wambach has really been struggling, though. Early in the first half she thought she had scored her second goal of the World Cup but was clearly off sides. After Perez was ejected from the game for her hard slide in a one-on-one situation against Morgan, Wambach lined up for a penalty kick against an ice cold Sandra Sepulveda but missed the net entirely, wide left.
The saving grace for the US has been their back line. With Hope Solo positioning them from the goal, the USA defense has been really perfect the entire World Cup and make them a tremendous threat to continue winning games.
If the offense gets going, they would be the clear favorites to run away with the title of Champions of the World. They’ll have some work to do in practice before their game against China. The team will probably go with Morgan and Leroux up front with Wambach coming off the bench and a midfield of Lloyd and Tobin Heath in the middle with Press and Morgan Brian on the outside.
Corey Johns
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