CONCACAF Gold Cup: The USWNT advances to the semifinals as Lindsey Horan stops Columbia’s mind games to score

After defeating World Cup quarterfinalists Colombia 3-0 in the last eight, the United States Women’s National Team advanced to the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup 2024 semifinals on Monday, March 4, at BMO Stadium in California. In the twelfth minute, Lindsey Horan scored the first goal with a calm penalty kick. With a stunning first-time strike off her left foot, Jenna Nighswonger increased the advantage in the 22nd minute. Then, in stoppage time at the conclusion of the first half, Jaedyn Shaw drove home the decisive blow.

The squad overcame a 2-0 setback to Mexico in the group stage’s last match, breaking their record of 80 straight victories at home against CONCACAF opponents. After losing to Canada in their most recent home game on November 11, 2000, they went on to record 78 victories and two ties.

A raucous crowd supported the US team’s attempts to go back to winning ways at the home stadium of Angel City FC, which is situated just south of downtown Los Angeles. Jorelyn Carabali tackled a charging Alex Morgan in the tenth minute, giving the USWNT an early penalty.

With the ball in her hand, Alex Morgan was ready to attempt the spot kick. The Colombian players, however, encircled Morgan and started some cheesy maneuvers to destabilize her and cause her to lose concentration. Natalia Giraldo, the Colombian custodian, approached Morgan and spoke a few words as well.

The 34-year-old striker gave the ball to skipper Lindsey Horan in an effort to surprise Colombia. The action was further delayed when Colombian right-back Carolina Arias approached the penalty area close to the six-yard box as she stood over the spot, gathering all the courage to put her team ahead. The participants were let play erratically by the referee, who did not have complete control over the game.

Lindsey Horan showed that she had ice in her veins by sending Natalia Giraldo the wrong way and burying the ball in the bottom right corner to end the tie, undeterred by the Colombians’ mind tricks.

Their defeat to Mexico and their relegation from the World Cup in the Round of 16 last year are two examples of this long-standing global football power’s diminishing fortunes in recent years. At the Olympics, they also took home a bronze medal.

However, this victory showed that these players still had the ability and athleticism to prevail over even a challenging match, particularly when their youthful talents were given the chance to shine.