USWNT 3-0 Colombia: Lindsey Horan, Jenna Nighswonger and Jaedyn Shaw fire USA into Gold Cup semifina

In an intense 90 minutes of action in Los Angeles, the United States women’s national team defeated Colombia 3-0 to advance to the semifinals of the CONCACAF W Gold Cup.

All three goals came in the first half, beginning with a penalty from captain Lindsey Horan – followed up less than ten minutes later by a blast from defender Jenna Nighswonger.

A goal in added time from Jaedyn Shaw saw the Americans take a 3-0 lead in the first half that they wouldn’t give up.

Colombia managed just three shots on target, making it relatively easy work for Alyssa Naeher – who kept a clean sheet in her 100th cap for the USWNT.

But the game was a testy affair. Referee Marianela Araya distributed seven yellow cards but did not send anyone off in a violent fixture.

USWNT captain Lindsey Horan (10) scored an opening penalty leading her team to a 3-0 win

Goals two and three came from Jenna Nighswonger (L) and Jaedyn Shaw (R)

USWNT veteran Alex Morgan looked like she was ready to fight two Colombia players at once in a video posted to Twitter.

Late in the game, American striker Sophia Smith fell victim to a vicious high-low tackle that did not result in any sending off.

The two teams combined for 31 fouls – with Colombia taking a 16-15 advantage in that department.

Next up for the United States is CONCACAF rivals Canada in a semifinal played in San Diego.

The winner of that game will advance to the final, where they will take on the winner of Mexico and Brazil.

The penalty scored in the 11th minute came as a result of Colombia defender Jorelyn Carabali shoulder-checking Alex Morgan in the box.

Morgan was one-on-one with the keeper and no attempt to play the ball was made, but Araya only pulled out a yellow card.

Colombia did not play fair. The team made multiple attempts to delay the penalty kick from being taken with no repercussions. 

Just before Horan struck the ball, Carolina Arias walked in front of her to talk to the keeper. Once again, Araya did not produce a card. Horan calmly converted her chance.

It was a testy affair – with a combined 31 fouls and  seven yellow cards between the two sides

The USA responded to the challenge laid out by Colombia with their own brand of intimidation. Alex Morgan and Trinity Rodman earned yellow cards within two minutes of each other for jawing at their opponents.

It remained testy until Nighswonger hit a well-struck low shot across the body of Colombia keeper Natalia Giraldo to go up 2-0.

Shaw made it 3-0 in a brilliant display of one-touch technique. A ball out wide to Rodman resulted in a one-time cross into Shaw, who tapped it in the net.

The second 45 minutes remained as physical as the first, but nothing got past Naeher. She made two clutch diving saves in the first half and remained unbothered for the second to punctuate a dominant performance for the Americans.

ncG1vNJzZmhqZGy7psPSmqmorZ6Zwamx1qippZxemLyue8KroKadX526sLrGZpimnaKesKK6jJqaraGmnsC1ecCnm2abn6KypbXAp2SkoZSjrrG8xJ1kpq2imbKzscNmoKdlk6S5sLnBophmm6KeuqZ5zqejoqaVZA%3D%3D