WASHINGTON — The U.S. Women’s National Team did not play beautiful, inspiring soccer in its first three games of the 2015 World Cup. The offense was largely disjointed, the chances that were created almost always left unconverted, and the score lines more forgiving than the play on the field would indicate.
That’s the good news.
In spite of a largely uninspired offensive showing, the USWNT earned two wins and a draw to finish atop the Group of Death, earning a far easier road in terms of opponent and travel than they would have had they finished second. The defense was far tighter and sturdier than in other recent international tournaments as well, allowing a single goal in 270 minutes of play. That play has bought the strikers another opportunity, and a good one at that, as the team enters the elimination rounds.
By virtue of their results, the USWNT will take on Colombia, the 28-ranked team in the world Monday night at 8 p.m. ET in Edmonton. While the Colombians defeated France in a shocking upset, they are the second lowest-ranked team remaining in the tournament, ahead of only upstart Cameroon.
The U.S., and Wambach in particular, will not need to search hard for motivation, considering what happened when the teams met in the 2012 Olympics. The Americans went on to win that game, 3-0, including a revenge goal by Wambach. Fellow starters Megan Rapinoe and Carly Lloyd also scored in that match.
They will also benefit from a late gaffe in Colombia’s loss against England. In the 85th minute, starting goalkeeper Sandra Sepulveda clipped Jodie Taylor to draw her second yellow card of the tournament. That earned her an automatic suspension for the game against the U.S., leaving Colombia even more short-handed in a game they were already long shots to win.
Should they beat Colombia, the USWNT will get the winner of aforementioned Cameroon and China, the 16th-ranked team in the world. While a rematch of the 1999 final may provide some intrigue, the Americans would again be heavy favorites either way as they look to return to the semifinals.
There will be an odd local angle from the other side in Monday’s match, as Colombian center back Nataly Arias was born in Arlington, Virginia, then attended Bishop O’Connell and the University of Maryland and plays for the Atlanta Silverbacks in the United Soccer League’s W-League. Her appearance will only deepen the local tie to this game with Ali Krieger holding down the back line for the U.S.
And while Krieger and the rest of the defense has carried the Americans so far, the USWNT will need to find more up top out of its offense if it wants to win its first title since 1999. Even though the opposition doesn’t ramp up too much in the next couple of rounds, the margin for error is gone. Now is the time for the brand name stars to shine.
