The United States will play Canada in the Gold Cup semifinals on Wednesday in San Diego. Mexico will face Brazil in the other semifinal, following a 3-2 quarterfinal win over Paraguay at BMO Stadium on Sunday.
The loss against Mexico highlighted the steady decline in performance in recent years for this team, which has long been a world soccer powerhouse, winning bronze at the Tokyo Olympics and missing the round of 16 at last year's World Cup. But this victory shows that the current Americans still have enough talent and athleticism to turn even tough matchups into easy wins, especially if their young stars have a chance to blossom. Indicated.
An impressive first-half attack was highlighted by American 19-year-old emerging star Shaw. When she scored on a sharp pass from fellow youngster Trinity Rodman, she joined Shannon Boks as the only players in U.S. history to score in each of their first three international starts. Ta.
The United States had not conceded a goal in its last 33 games against CONCACAF opponents until Mexico's two goals, but the defense led by goaltender Alyssa Neher and Naomi Girma helped the United States return to a clean sheet against Colombia, with Neher It was his 43rd shutout in a game. He has been with the US team for 10 years.
At Angel City FC's home stadium, just south of downtown Los Angeles, a loud crowd cheered the Americans' efforts to get back on track, with the team scoring in the 10th minute when Jorelyn Caravalli beat a sprinting Alex Morgan. They were given a penalty early on. Horan stumbled into his steps before converting a penalty, his second of the Gold Cup.
Both teams were physically dominant in the first half, with Morgan and Maria Usme receiving equal yellow cards for positioning scraps. Rodman was given another yellow minutes later for kicking Daniela Arias, frustrated by the Colombian defender's lackluster play.
Neiswonger increased the lead to 2-0 with a powerful shot in the 22nd minute, giving the Southern California native the second goal of his international career. The 23-year-old Gotham FC defender graduated from Huntington Beach High School.
Colombia increased the pressure, but Neher made two excellent saves from Real Madrid teenager Linda Caicedo's shots.
In first-half stoppage time, Shaw tapped in Rodman's centering pass and scored his third goal of the tournament and fifth goal in eight career games, giving the U.S. a 3-0 lead. This year, when the speedy and creative Shaw, who plays for San Diego's NWSL team, took the field, the Americans' offense became noticeably more impressive.
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