United States midfielder Emily Sonnett (14) vies for the ball against Colombia midfielder Marcela Restrepo (8) during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States midfielder Olivia Moultrie (13) kicks the ball agains Colombia midfielder Liana Salazar (21) during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States forward Sophia Smith (11) kicks the ball chased by Colombia defender Angela Baron (14) during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States forward Sophia Smith (11) vies for the ball with Colombia defender Angela Baron (14) during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States midfielder Olivia Moultrie, right, dribbles the ball against Colombia during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States defender Emily Fox (23) heads the ball against Colombia forward Linda Caicedo (18) during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States defender Emily Fox (23) vies for the ball against Colombia forward Linda Caicedo (18) during the first half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States midfielder Korbin Albert (15) kicks the ball chased by Colombia midfielder Marcela Restrepo (8) during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States midfielder Sam Coffey (17) vies for the ball with Colombia midfielder Marcela Restrepo (8) during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States midfielder Sam Coffey (17) vies for the ball with Colombia midfielder Ilana Izquierdo (13) during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States midfielder Rose Lavelle (16) is shoved down by Colombia midfielder Marcela Restrepo (8) during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States midfielder Lindsey Horan (10) controls the ball against Colombia midfielder Marcela Restrepo (8)during the second half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States starting eleven pose for a portrait prior to the start of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match against Colombia at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Members of the United States stand at attention prior to the start of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match against Colombia at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States head coach Twila Kilgore looks on prior to the start of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match against Colombia at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Soccer fans dance prior to the start of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match between the United States and Colombia at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States defender Jenna Nighswonger (3) looks on against Colombia during the first half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States forward Alex Morgan (7) is held by Colombia defender Jorelyn Carabali, back, during the first half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States head coach Twila Kilgore, center, looks on during the first half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match against Colombia at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States forward Trinity Rodman (22) squares off against Colombia defender Daniela Arias (3) during the first half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States defender Jenna Nighswonger (3) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Colombia during the first half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States defender Jenna Nighswonger (3) celebrates with teammate defender Tierna Davidson (12) after Nighswonger scores a goal against Colombia during the first half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher (1) raises her hands as the ball goes out of bounds against Colombia during the first half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States forward Alex Morgan (7) controls the ball between Colombia defenders during the first half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States midfielder Lindsey Horan is swarmed by teammates after she scores a goal against Colombia during the first half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States defender Jenna Nighswonger (3) kicks the ball against Colombia during the first half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States forward Jaedyn Shaw, center, vies for the ball with Colombia forward Maria Usme, left, and defender Carolina Arias, right, during the first half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. United States won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States midfielder Lindsey Horan (10) vies for the ball with Colombia midfielder Lorena Durango, left, during the first half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States forward Alex Morgan (7) kicks the ball against Colombia during the first half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Colombia goalkeeper Natalia Giraldo (1) dives for a goal kicked by United States forward Jaedyn Shaw, not pictured, during the first half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Fourth from left United States forward Jaedyn Shaw smiles and celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Colombia during the first half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
United States forward Jaedyn Shaw, left, controls the ball against Colombia during the first half of a CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup quarterfinals match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LOS ANGELES — The first 20 minutes resembled more of a high-speed chase with a wrestling match thrown in as both the USWNT and Colombia national teams kicked off their CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal match.
After the dust-ups and crunching tackles subsided, the USWNT had put forth the perfect response to last Monday’s loss to Mexico.
“I think we kind of knew it was going to be like that going into this game,” USWNT forward Jaedyn Shaw said. “We knew it was going to be a battle and we were up for the challenge.
Lindsay Horan, Jenna Nighswonger and Shaw scored in the chaotic, yet productive first half for the USWNT, leading the way to what would eventually be a 3-0 win in front of 16,746 at BMO Stadium Sunday.
USWNT will face rival Canada in Wednesday’s semifinal at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.
“This was just a different type of match, it’s our third game against them and they’re a tough team to play against,” USWNT interim coach Twila Kilgore said. “The players did an amazing job carrying out the plan. The job was to advance and we’re thrilled to do that and we have a lot more football left in us.”
The USWNT set a “we’re not backing down” tone early as Alex Morgan and Trinity Rodman were involved in face-to-face disagreements with members of the Colombian team. Both received yellow cards in their separate incidents, but the line had been drawn.
In the 12th minute, Alex Morgan was taken down, leading to a penalty kick. Lindsay Horan stepped up and converted for an early 1-0 lead.
“We knew it would be a big physical battle,” Kilgore said. “We did a good job early matching their physicality.”
The USWNT continued pressing Colombia, lead to the second goal. Nighswonger scored in the 22nd minute, assisted by Morgan for a 2-0 lead. It was Nighswonger’s second goal in the tournament.
“We’re pleased with Jenn,” Kilgore said. “She’s filled different roles in the past, we’ve ask her to play higher up and the goal she scored was indicative of that.”
The final piece in the scoring puzzle came in the second minute of first-half stoppage time. Rodman beat her defender on the right and set up Shaw for the tap-in and the 3-0 lead.
The loss to Mexico was last Monday, giving the USWNT plenty of time both on the training field and in meetings to figure out what went wrong and how to avoid it happening again.”
“I think we’re always ready,” Kilgore said. “In this environment, you have to be locked in and sharp and steady, so it was genuinely not anything different. You have to be able to show up, execute and it was all about regrouping for the tough moment.”
USWNT and Colombia met twice in October for a pair of friendlies. The first ended in a scoreless draw and the second was a 3-0 win for the U.S. thanks to three second-half goals.
“Anytime you come off of a loss, I think for us, we’ve also saw it as an opportunity,” USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher said. “You don’t normally …when you lose in a tournament, you don’t the opportunity to come back right away and kind of right that wrong.
“I’m proud of the group for good trainings this week and regrouping. We talked about wanting to get more energy and intensity from start to finish and I thought that what’s you saw on the field tonight and we obviously got a better result.”
The game was the 100th career appearance for Naeher. She was credited with three saves.
“It means a lot to get 100 and to do it on a night and in a game like this and to get a huge win for the team, it means a lot,” she said.
