United States 0-0 Colombia (Oct 26, 2023) Game Analysis

Alex Morgan missed a penalty on the finish of the primary half and the United States settled for a scoreless draw with Colombia in a pleasant in Sandy, Utah, on Thursday night time.

Morgan’s try within the forty fourth minute bounced again off the publish and she or he tried to attain off the rebound, however the ball sailed over the objective.

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The sport, performed in chilly temperatures within the mid-30s, was the primary of two matches in opposition to Colombia. The second is about for Sunday in San Diego.

The United States will play simply two extra video games this yr, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Frisco, Texas, in early December. Both matches are in opposition to China.

Colombia, ranked No. 22 on this planet, superior to the quarterfinals on the Women’s World Cup this previous summer season for the primary time. Las Cafeteras had been lastly stopped by England 2-1.

The United States was eradicated within the Round of 16 on penalties after a scoreless draw with Sweden, the earliest World Cup exit ever for the Americans. Soon after the disappointing end, coach Vlatko Andonovski stepped down.

Since then, the Americans have been led by interim coach Twila Kilgore, who was an assistant beneath Andonovski. The United States, ranked No. 3, is predicted to call a everlasting head coach by the top of the yr because the group prepares for the Paris Olympics subsequent summer season.

“I trust Alex Morgan to take penalties and she’s not going to be satisfied with that,” Kilgore mentioned after the match concerning the miss. “We’re not satisfied with that, but I trust quite a few of our players in these moments and when they’re called upon, they will do their best.

“And generally you make them and generally you miss them. The expectation is that they do execute, however I belief Alex.”

The sport marked the return of defender Becky Sauerbrunn to the group after she missed the World Cup due to an harm. She began on the bench, however got here in initially of the second half.

Sophia Smith was a late substitute. The reigning U.S. Soccer Player of the Year had not performed for the United States for the reason that World Cup due to a knee harm and was on restricted minutes.

Smith got here near a objective within the remaining moments of stoppage time, however Colombia goalkeeper Natalia Girlaldo made the cease.

Colombia, which has additionally certified for the Olympics, had not performed for the reason that World Cup. Linda Caicedo, the group’s 18-year-old ahead who performs professionally for Real Mardrid, began in opposition to the Americans. Catalina Usme, who scored two objectives in the course of the World Cup, was unavailable due to an harm.

The Colombians had been enjoying the 2 friendlies beneath Angela Marsiglia, their new head coach after the post-World Cup departure of Nelson Abadía.