United States vs Colombia: USWNT Kicks Off SheBelieves Cup with a 2-0 Victory
The U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) wasted no time making a statement in their SheBelieves Cup opener, securing a solid 2-0 victory in the United States vs Colombia matchup on Thursday night in Houston. This match marked their return to competitive play after clinching Olympic gold in 2024, and they didn’t disappoint.
Head coach Emma Hayes, leading her first major tournament with the team, went for a mix of experience and youth in her lineup. The balance paid off, with the U.S. controlling possession and dictating the tempo from the opening whistle. The American squad showed both discipline and creativity, proving once again why they’re one of the top teams in the world.
Catarina Macario Breaks Goal Drought in Emotional Return
The U.S. broke through in the 33rd minute thanks to Chelsea forward Catarina Macario, who had been waiting almost three years for this moment. Midfielder Yazmeen Ryan whipped in a perfect cross, and Macario was right there to bury it past Colombian goalkeeper Katherine Tapia. It was a beautiful goal—calm, clinical, and well-deserved.
For Macario, this wasn’t just another goal—it was the end of a long and painful recovery. After suffering a brutal knee injury in May 2022, she spent nearly two years on the sidelines, fighting to get back to the game she loves. Scoring again in a U.S. jersey was a powerful moment, and the raw emotion on her face said it all.
Colombia responded by tightening up their defense, but they struggled to get anything going offensively. The U.S. backline held strong, snuffing out counterattacks before they could become dangerous.
Source: United States beats Colombia to open SheBelieves Cup
Ally Sentnor Stuns with a Long-Range Rocket
The Americans doubled their lead in the 60th minute with an absolute stunner from Ally Sentnor. The 20-year-old picked up the ball just past midfield, dribbled past a defender, and let loose a missile from nearly 30 yards out. The ball flew into the top corner, leaving Tapia with no chance.
The stadium erupted. Not only was it a spectacular goal, but it was Sentnor’s first-ever for the senior national team. Her teammates swarmed her in celebration, knowing it was a special moment for the young star.
She nearly grabbed a second in the 74th minute with another powerful strike, but this time, Tapia was able to make the save. Still, the damage was done. Sentnor had sealed the win, and her breakout performance will be remembered for a long time.
USWNT Stays Unbeaten with Another Dominant Display
With this victory, the United States extended their unbeaten streak to 21 games. The last time they lost? Over a year ago, in February 2024, when they fell 2-0 to Mexico. Since then, they’ve been on fire, outscoring opponents 43-10 and recording 13 shutouts.
Goalkeeper Jane Campbell had a relatively quiet night, but she did what she needed to keep another clean sheet. Colombia struggled to generate any real chances, and the U.S. defense remained rock solid from start to finish.
Colombia, while resilient, just couldn’t match the pace and sharpness of the Americans. They showed flashes of skill but were ultimately overwhelmed by the high press and relentless energy of the U.S. squad.
What’s Next: USWNT Prepares for Australia and Japan
With this win in the books, the U.S. now turns their attention to the next two SheBelieves Cup matches. They’ll take on Australia this Sunday before facing Japan on February 26. Both games will be tough tests, especially with Japan coming off a dominant 4-0 win against Australia earlier on Thursday.
Emma Hayes will likely use these games to fine-tune her strategy and test her squad depth. With veterans stepping up and young stars like Sentnor proving their worth, the U.S. looks poised to claim a sixth consecutive SheBelieves Cup title.
If their performance against Colombia was any indication, they’re ready to make it happen.
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