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USWNT edges Colombia in final World Cup Qualifying tune-up

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The U.S. women’s national team edged Colombia in its final World Cup Qualifying tune-up on Tuesday, but will be frustrated with the amount of offensive opportunities left on the table in Utah.

Vlatko Andonoski’s side left Rio Tinto Stadium with a 2-0 friendly victory, their second against Colombia in four days, however, missed several chances to walk away with a larger scoreline. An own goal from Manuela Venegas paired with a second-half goal from Kelley O’Hara kept the Americans unbeaten in 2022.

The USWNT got a bit of help for its opening goal as Sofia Huerta’s cross from the right wing deflected into the goal off of Venegas. Venegas was tracking back to help defend for Colombia, but watched as the ball hit off of her and flew past goalkeeper Catalina Perez.

American attackers Megan Rapinoe and Lindsey Horan were both denied later in the half by Perez, while Alex Morgan struck the crossbar on the verge of halftime.

Leicy Santos delivered the best offensive chance for Colombia in the 55th minute, forcing Alyssa Naeher into a diving save to her right. Naeher denied Santos a wonder-strike into the top-right corner, keeping the USWNT ahead.

With Colombia pressing for an equalizer, the USWNT iced its home victory with O’Hara doubling the lead in the 77th minute. Colombia failed to clear its lines and O’Hara’s right-footed shot nestled into the bottom-left corner.

It was O’Hara’s first USWNT goal since 2016.

The USWNT finished the match with 18 shots in total, but only five on goal, showing that added offensive work needs to be done ahead of the Concacaf Women’s Championship this July.

A major bright spot for the Americans was the first international cap for Carson Pickett, who became the first player with a limb difference to feature for the USWNT. Pickett started at left back and logged 90 minutes in the shutout.

The USWNT kicks off its World Cup Qualifying schedule on July 4 against Haiti in Mexico.

Comments

  1. The U-20s won their WC warm up tourney edging the Netherlands in PKs. It would be cool to see coverage of how that WC roster fills out and the tournament come August. Loving the coverage on the youth men’s side an nod the women’s way would be great too.

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  2. Pickett was excellent. The play in the final 3rd and in the attacking area was not. Long way to go with this group

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    • There will be some serious competition. The field is has truly become way more competitive. It’s not the US losing ground as much as it is competitors catching up. Europe had the structures in place. It was just a matter of time.

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      • understood for many many years all of that.

        still has nothing to do with Pugh getting look after look and showing no sign of maturity in front of goal still, just whacks away and misses the target almost every time, let alone scoring. And this against Clombia, a much improved team but hardly the top line competition that’s out there. I’m pulling for her but just can’t see how the USWNT does much if relying on her to get it done. Losing Macario was huge blow. In the first game, some talking heads called out Hatch–silly, if Pugh put away her open netter in the 1st half the conversation very different.

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