USWNT defeats Colombia 3-0 on Sunday in international friendly
CHESTER, Pennsylvania (Via U.S. Soccer) – Julie Johnston scored her first career brace to lead the U.S. Women’s National Team to a 3-0 victory against Colombia in front of a sold-out crowd of 17,275 on a chilly afternoon at Talen Energy Stadium.
Christen Press began the scoring after she lifted a bouncing ball over Colombia goalkeeper Catalina Perez in the 26th minute off a cross from Lindsey Horan. It was the 33rd international goal for Press in 66 games.
Johnston notched her sixth career goal when she lunged to volley Tobin Heath’s free kick over the ‘keeper and into the right corner just before halftime. Heath found Johnston again on a set piece in the 79th minute, hitting a low cross from the right and Johnston dove to flick a header just inside the left post. All seven of Johnston’s WNT goals have come off set plays.
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher recorded her fourth career win and shutout in her second appearance of the year.
The match was the second between the teams in four days with the USA winning 7-0 in East Hartford, Conn., on April 6.
All of the U.S. players besides 17-year-old Mallory Pugh will now return to their NWSL clubs for the beginning of the historic fourth season. The USA will come together again in June as it continues the Road to Rio with a friendly match against Japan on Thursday, June 2 in Commerce City, Colo. (7 p.m. MT, FS1).
Goal Scoring Rundown:
USA – Christen Press (Lindsey Horan), 26th minute: Lindsay Horan gathered a pass on the left flank and did well to work herself free to play a perfectly-weighted cross over the top of the Colombia back line and into the penalty box. Christen Press ran onto the bouncing ball lifted it over the onrushing goalkeeper Catalina Perez with her right foot. A defender gave chase as the looping shot bounced toward the goal, but she could not reach it before it sailed into the net. USA 1, COL 0 (SEE GOAL)
USA – Julie Johnston (Tobin Heath), 42nd minute: The USA earned a free kick in line with the right edge of the penalty box about 28 years from the goal. With her teammates lined up on the top edge of the penalty box, Tobin Heath played a bending 20-yard free kick to the right side of the six-yard box. Julie Johnston met Heath’s pass with a lunging right-footed volley to send the ball over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net for her first goal of the year. USA 2, COL 0 (SEE GOAL)
USA – Julie Johnston (Tobin Heath), 79th minute: Tobin Heath lined up another free kick just five yards from the end line on the right side and struck a low cross to the crashing Julie Johnston who used her head to redirect the ball toward the far post and into the side netting for her second goal of the match. USA 3, COL 0 (SEE GOAL) FINAL
Next on the Schedule:The U.S. WNT will host Japan in a 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final rematch on Thursday, June 2 in Commerce City, Colo. (7 p.m. MT, FS1). The match is sold out.
Additional Notes:
- The USA is 11-0-0 in 2016, having scored 42 goals and allowed only one, good for an average of 3.81 per match.
- The U.S. recorded its 10th clean sheet of the year with second-ranked Germany being the only team that has scored on the USA in 11 matches.
- The WNT improved to 5-0-0 in the all-time series against Colombia. These two games were the first friendly matches between the teams with the other three games having taken place during world championships.
- Julie Johnston’s goals are the sixth and seventh of her career and first of 2016. All of her goals have come on set pieces.
- Christen Press’ goal marks the 33rd of her career, giving her sole possession of 16th on the USA’s all-time scoring list. She passed Lindsay Tarpley.
- Tobin Heath registered her second and third assists of the year, both on set pieces finished by Johnston.
- Lindsey Horan recorded her third assist of the year.
- Alyssa Naeher tallied her fourth career shutout in four career starts.
- The WNT used four subs: Whitney Engen replaced Becky Sauerbrunn, Allie Long replaced Lindsey Horan and Kelley O’Hara replaced Meghan Klingenberg in the 61st minute. Ali Krieger replaced Carli Lloyd, who got a rousing ovation from her hometown crowd, in the 73rd minute.
- As Lloyd exited the match, she handed the captain’s armband to Tobin Heath.
- The USA improved to 13-3-1 all-time in Pennsylvania and 4-0-1 at Talen Energy Stadium.
- The USA held Colombia to three shots and without a shot on goal.
Milestone Watch:
- Carli Lloyd earned her 222ndcap today, which ranks eighth in WNT history.
– U.S. Women’s National Team Match Report –
Match: U.S. Women’s National Team vs. Colombia
Date: April 10, 2016
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Talen Energy Stadium; Chester, Pa.
Kickoff: 2 p.m. ET
Attendance: 17,275 (sold-out)
Weather: 48 degrees; Sunny
Scoring Summary:12F
USA 2 1 3
COL 0 0 0
USA – Christen Press (Lindsey Horan) 26th minute
USA – Julie Johnston (Tobin Heath) 42
USA – Julie Johnston (Tobin Heath) 79
Lineups:
USA: 21-Alyssa Naeher; 17-Tobin Heath, 8-Julie Johnston, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn (6-Whitney Engen, 61), 7-Meghan Klingenberg (5-Kelley O’Hara, 61); 3-Samantha Mewis, 20-Lindsey Horan (23-Allie Long, 61), 10-Carli Lloyd (capt.) (11-Ali Krieger, 73); 12-Christen Press, 16-Crystal Dunn, 2-Mallory Pugh
Subs not used: 1-Hope Solo, 9-Heather O’Reilly, 15-Emily Sonnett
Head coach: Jill Ellis
COL: 1-Catalina Perez, 3-Natalia Gaitan, 14-Nataly Arias, 2-Carolina Arbelaez, 9-Orianica Velasquez, 5-Isabella Echeverri, 6-Liana Salazar, 15-Tatiana Ariza (7-Nicole Regnier, 87), 4-Diana Ospina (10-Yorely Rincon, 87), 16-Leicy Santos, 11-Catalina Usme (18-Yisela Cuesta, 90+1)
Subs not used: 12-Paula Forero, 8-Carolina Pineda, 13-Maria Jaramillo, 17-Leidy Asprilla
Head Coach: Fabian Taborda
Stats Summary: USA / COL
Shots: 22 / 3
Shots on Goal: 10 / 0
Saves: 0 / 7
Corner Kicks: 7 / 1
Fouls: 7 / 9
Offside: 3 / 0
Misconduct Summary:
COL – Liana Salazar (caution) 54th minute
COL – Natalia Gaitan (caution)
Officials:
Referee: Margaret Domka (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Amanda Ross (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Deleana Quan (USA)
4th Official: Karen Abt (USA)
Woman of the Match: Julie Johnston
