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USWNT Vs. Colombia Score: Alex Morgan Sets Tone As USA Cruise Into W Gold Cup Semis With Lindsey Horan Penalty
The U.S. Women's national team cruised to victory on Sunday in the Concacaf W Gold Cup quarterfinals, beating Colombia 3-0 in a game that served as a strong response to last week's loss to Mexico. As always you can catch all the W Gold Cup coverage across Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
The hosts were off to a quick start when Lindsey Horan scored a penalty in the 13th minute, while Jenna Nighswonger scored a second in the 22nd minute and Jaedyn Shaw added one more before halftime. Alex Morgan played a big role in the first two goals, drawing the penalty and then setting up Nighswonger with a header.
The goals are representative of an impressive outing for the USWNT, who were able to successfully execute a game plan that worked. Though Colombia had the majority of possession, the U.S. Used that game state to break lines whenever they could and kickstarted the attack in the process. The hosts were also able to play out of the back whenever they did have the ball and showcased their own firepower in the process.
The impressive collective showing was matched by a meaningful outing for several individuals, including Nighswonger. Veterans goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher also stood out with several important saves in her 100th cap, but the headlining act was Morgan, who made her strongest case yet to stay in the mix for the Olympics.
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Morgan came into this tournament on a year-long goalless run in a national team jersey and only joined the squad to replace the injured Mia Fishel, but the 34-year-old has worked her way into a big role at the Gold Cup. It was a little bit of a surprise when she was named among the starters, but she ultimately served as the headlining act on Sunday.
The forward took just two shots, but it's because she excelled in a more supporting role in which she is no longer the focal point of the USWNT's attack. She drew the penalty that Horan scored and was a distraction for Colombia's defense on Nighswonger's goal, two moments that were emblematic of her 72-minute showing. She also generated 0.88 expected goals on her own, showcasing a bit of her trademark self in the process.
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What's nextThe USWNT return to play on Wednesday, when they face Canada in the semifinals. You can watch the match at 10:15 p.M. ET on Paramount+.
Orlando City Signs Colombia's Luis Muriel From Atalanta
Feb 15, 2024, 02:37 PM ETOrlando City SC has signed Colombian forward Luis Muriel from Serie A side Atalanta, the MLS club announced Thursday.
Muriel has signed a three-year contract through the 2026 season and will fill a designated player roster spot.
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"We are very excited to welcome Luis to Orlando," Orlando general manager Luiz Muzzi said in a news release. "Whenever he's on the field, he's a player that is known to always be a threat to score, will force defenses to account for him at all times, and has the ability to combine with and make his teammates better.
"His accolades and statistics over his career thus far speak for themselves. He's someone that we feel will help us take the next step in our pursuit to win trophies, not only this season but in the future as well."
Muriel, 32, previously played for Orlando City head coach Oscar Pareja with Colombia's Deportivo Cali.
Between pro clubs in South America and Europe, Muriel has made 471 appearances with 151 goals and 73 assists.
After the 2020-21 season, Muriel was named to the Serie A Team of the Year when he tallied 22 goals and nine assists in league play.
"I am very excited and happy to be here, to live the atmosphere that is this city of the team and with a lot of desire to get started," Muriel said. "I had various offers when Oscar Pareja and Orlando called me.
"I made this decision when looking at the development of this Club, the players here and the desires of everyone to win titles. All were things that went into my decision."
He also has made 51 appearances for Colombia's national team, scoring 12 goals since making his senior international debut in 2012.
Information from Reuters contributed to this report.
USWNT Beats Colombia To Set Up Gold Cup Semifinal With Canada
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 03: Alex Morgan #7 of United States chases after the ball with ... [+] Jorelyn Carabali #19 of Columbia during the quarterfinals 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup at BMO Stadium on March 03, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesThe U.S. Women's soccer team defeated Colombia 3-0 in the CONCACAF W Gold Cup on Sunday, setting up a semi-final meeting with Canada.
Lindsey Horan, Jenna Nighswonger and Jaedyn Shaw scored in the quarter-final in Los Angeles, as the U.S. Bounced back from their 2-0 defeat against Mexico last weekend.
The USWNT took the lead in the 13th minute when captain Horan scored from a penalty kick after forward Alex Morgan was taken down in the box by Colombia's Jorelyn Carabali.
Horan coolly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner, as the U.S. Found an early lead.
Defender Nighswonger doubled the Americans' lead in the 22nd minute with a powerful strike from inside the box, finishing a beautiful team move from the four-time world champions.
From just beyond the half line, defender Naomi Girma sent a sensational long ball to Morgan at the edge of the 18-yard-box box and Morgan outmuscled her defender to head the ball into the pathway of Nighswonger, who made no mistake to score her second international goal.
The USWNT went 3-0 up in the stoppage time of the first half when Shaw found the net with her first-time shot after she connected with a fine cross from Rodman, who combined well with Emily Fox. Shaw is now the leading American goal scorer at the tournament with three goals.
At 19 years, 104 days, Shaw is the youngest player ever and just the third teenager all-time to score for the USWNT in the knockout rounds of a competitive tournament joining Kristine Lilly, who scored in the semifinal and final of the 1991 World Cup Qualifying, and Heather O'Reilly, who scored in the semifinal of the 2004 Olympics.
Sunday's victory also marked a special occasion for goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who earned their 100th USWNT cap, becoming the third U.S. Goalkeeper to reach the milestone, joining Hope Solo and Briana Scurry.
Naeher, who won the World Cup twice with the USWNT, made some excellent saves during the match as she kept the Colombian attackers at bay.
"We were disappointed in the result against Mexico. I am proud of our group that we have regrouped in a short period of time... Three quick goals nice and early set the tone for us," she told CBS Sports in a post-match interview.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 03: Alyssa Naeher #1 of the United States holds a jersey honoring ... [+] her 100th cap after defeating Colombia during the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup quarterfinal match at BMO Stadium on March 03, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
Getty Images for USSF"It was not an easy game. Colombia is a great team," Naeher said about the Colombians, who reached the quarter-finals at the FIFA Women's World Cup last year.
The U.S. Will now face long-time foes Canada in Wednesday's semi-final, while Brazil will take on Mexico in the other match of the tournament.
This is the first edition of the W Gold Cup, with the tournament featuring total 12 teams. Eight are from the CONCACAF region while Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Paraguay are the non-CONCACAF invitees.
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