Authored by Michael Saunders
Game Report & Thoughts on Jan. 22nd match USWNT vs COLOMBIA As a journalist, I find it difficult at times to report on a match when a game is so one-sided. The USWNT defeated Colombia the second time in the week but added two more goals to the final score: 6-0. Indeed, the scoring summary you will find below, but when your opposition fails to have one shot on frame, gives up 20 corners and literally relies on its GK to keep them in a match, there is often little to expand upon. This is not the case with this game. It started when US Soccer provided the media with our starting 11. Immediately one realized that there were seven (7) different players starting from the first match: From the entire back four and the GK, to a forward line that had the starting debut of the Brazilian-American phenom, Caterina Macario, in the striker position, and the return of Rapinoe on the wing, with Lavelle starting in the place of Horan as an attacking mid. Moreover, all the available substitutes were used (exception the GK), but surprisingly the wing backs, Crystal Dunn & Midge Purce replacing the staring wings of Rapinoe & Williams respectively. With that as a background, the impressions of the match unfolded quickly and spoke to the depth and future of the USWNT: First, much will be said about Macario’s debut, her quick goal (3rd minute), positioning, ability on the ball and overall soccer IQ. Even Rapinoe during her post-game interview lauded “Cat’s” presence on the pitch, emphasizing that the US has never seen a player quite like her!! What struck me was the quick integrated partnership that developed between Lavelle and her. What one saw were two gifted technical players whose vision combined so well that one would think they had played together for years. It lifted this author’s spirit that the USWNT was moving to a more hybrid technically sound game that would make our attack that more difficult for the opposition to defend in the future. Macario stated as much post game: “Rose and I were talking about this yesterday, how we really like playing with each other. I think the coaches know our characteristics and so they didn’t necessarily have to say anything out of the norm, like oh you guys play with each other. It was more a natural thing to happen….”
The second impression of the match was the performance of Sam Mewis. Her runs, her passing, positioning, and scoring prowess has made her almost as indispensable as Julie Ertz is as a defensive mid. Frankly, I am not sure how Vlatko and the coaching staff will manage the playing time between Lavelle, Horan and Mewis; they are all that good. My final major impression of the match(s) against Colombia speaks to the level of competition they provided. It truly was too easy a test. Of course. there is always a benefit to a match particularly after a long layoff. Yet, as the USWNT transitions to a younger team, it must be challenged to determine its strengths and weaknesses in preparation for the ultimate prize in soccer: the World Cup. Short of the midfield, there are questions regarding who will fill the limited roster for the Olympics. Yet those questions will remain and become more pronounced post the Tokyo games. Yes the USWNT has a great pool of players which is the envy of many countries. Some say it is a great problem for a coach to have; but finding that right combination of players between experience & youth in order to have the perfect balance is never easy. Hopefully, the SBC will provide us with that direction.
NOTES OF THE GAME: >>>> The USWNT improved to 7-0-1 all-time vs. Colombia. The U.S. has outscored Colombia 30-2 in their eight meetings and Friday night marked its seventh shutout
>>>>> The USA is riding a 34-game unbeaten streak and has scored two or more goals in 30 of those games. The U.S. also is unbeaten in its last 50 home matches: 45 wins and five draws. The run has seen the USA outscore its opponents 179-27, including a margin of 49-3 during its last 12 matches on home soil.
>>>> U.S. head coach Vlatko Andonovski is 13-0-0 in his first 13 games, extending a record for best start for a head coach in USWNT history. Pia Sundhage holds the second-best start for any head coach in USWNT history with 10 straight victories.
>>>>> Forward Catarina Macario became the 15th USWNT player to score in her first start. She’s the first to do so since Jessica McDonald in 2018.
>>>> Megan Rapinoe earned her 170th cap and scored her 53rd and 54th career USWNT goals.
>>>> Lynn Williams, making her third consecutive start for the USWNT, scored her 10th international goal. She has appeared in 12 of the USWNT’s last 13 matches.
>>>> Midfielder Lindsey Horan became the 31st player to score 20 goals for the USWNT. Midfielder Samantha Mewis became the 30th last Monday night.
>>>> The USWNT’s 10 goals thus far in 2021 have been scored by seven different players: Samantha Mewis (3), Rapinoe (2) and one each from Horan, Macario, Kristie Mewis, Purce, Williams and Horan.
>>>> Kristie Mewis replaced her sister Samantha in the 68th minute when the younger Mewis went down with an ankle injury.
>>>> Defender Emily Fox, the #1 pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft by Racing Louisville FC, came on in the 79th minute to earn her fourth cap.
>>>> Carli Lloyd earned her 296th cap and is just four away from becoming the third player in U.S. history to hit 300 caps. SCORING SUMMARY & STATS; Match: U.S. Women’s National Team vs. Colombia
Date: January 22, 2021
Scoring Summary:
USA – Catarina Macario (Rose Lavelle) 3rd minute
USA – Megan Rapinoe (Emily Sonnett) 35
USA – Megan Rapinoe (Penalty Kick) 44
USA – Lynn Williams (Samantha Mewis) 60
USA – Lindsey Horan (Crystal Dunn) 73
USA – Margaret Purce (Carli Lloyd) 86
Contributed by Michael Saunders