So a search on Optimum for Soccer does not indicate the game, I was at least able to find it by typing in the network, it is yet again in Spanish, at least as in years past, it was not even on TV, there should be a US subtitle or closed caption at minimum, no? The US must play better than they did in facing Argentina, from what I heard the Mexico game was no better and that tide needs to be turned.
A pair of had fouls on the US, one during a restart show Colombia is taking this very seriously. The press gets Rodman to force a deep turnover, the ball played back to her too strong and a throw for Colombia. A ball in after a number of passes is intercepted by the GK as she comes off her line. A free kick just inside the US half and Colombia is in the area, sends in a half chance but no issue for the GK who gathers the ball in at the near post. Pressure by the US again has the ball out of play very deep in their offensive end, but the other team has the throw. Rodman waits too long on a shot, lays it off to Horan in the air and the GK reels it in. The shot was partially blocked taking off most of its power. Just inside their half, the US gets it as a clash has a Colombian holding her head, play on a sheet US loses the ball, still play on. A ball over the top is taken care of by Naeher. A lead ball to Morgan has her in on goal, she awaits the contact rather than shoot and she remains down, a great pass from Horan., Stepping up for the PK is unknown, Morgan, holding the ball has not done well with these, she may be taking it, or creating a diversion, Horan takes the ball. She has to wait as a defender just happens to wander into the area toward her GK, no card, she goes right, the GK left, 1-0 USA at 13’. Morgan is jawing with 3 of the blue shirted opponents and a caution issued as Coffey readies to take the corner, probably the tallest on he field taking the kick, she finds Shaw who goes just wide. The goal kick is all but stolen and put in the net by the on rushing Shaw off the short kick. Rodman, the target for Coffey and it is out for another goal kick, will they go long? The kick is again short, the long ball up is to the US as they take it in their defensive third, immediate pressure has Horan fouled. Shaw with a blast off a miss cleared ball is just wide of the upper 90 with a blast, another goal kick. Colombia is unable to handle this pressure, could get very interesting. Back to the GK who passes it to a US player it pops loose to Horan with a spinning shot that goes wide, great idea though. Pressure again off a goal kick the US gets it then loses it, Rodman pushed retaliates and is cautioned for it. At 23’ this has the makings for an exciting game at least. Coffey pushed from behind big time on the restart but does get the call. If I am Colombia, I target Rodman . Gotham Girl Niswonger gets one off the restart headed back to her, she hits it full stride , this was a clinical strike, ball on the way down, through the ball, landing on her kicking foot, picture perfect. Rodman, double teamed winds up on the ground, flails her leg, can do that with a yellow so early especially. Rodman with a hard foul on Venegas who gets up seeking a card, it was a hit after the ball was gone. The restart leads to a header falling away by Colombia and it is wide, back come the USA as Morgan gets a ball over the top, her first touch drives her long and away from goal and it would have been wide if the GK did not pick it up. It was a higher degree of difficulty as the ball was drifting the same direction as she kept going with it. Left for the GK, Horan was half a step behind it. Horan a bit strong for Rodman, but she gets it, goes end line to nutmeg the opponent, Trinty loses it, the team gets it back and a hard tackle sends Coffey onto her back near midfield. Horan just beyond the area and now it is played all the way to the GK of the US. Morgan avoids a few but one gets her, she feeds a teammate who is also put to the ground, Alex gets up limping. This game is still young not even half an hour, the Ref must take control or have issues. Rodman with high pressure well deep in the Colombia end has it go out off her, but it is a very deep throw that the US gets a head to it first and wind up with the all. A long shot 30 yards, is steered wide by Naeher. The corner is shot than give and goes with the kicker and shot player, cleared the area, Colombia gets it again. Unlike Argentina, they are playing very direct, balls over the top, are not getting a goal but getting near chances. Colombia in the area, leaves it for a player in and out, then blocked, Shaw with a sliding tackle gets a player then we see Rodman is down at the top of the area. An unforced error gets the US a throw in in the neutral zone, they go over the top for Horan but it is headed away. Down the right side a first time shot is pushed just wide again by Naeher, another corner. This one is taken into the area and headed out by Shaw to the bottom of the circle as Colombia sends one in, it is headed out, they recover it. Another ball intercepted by the US, winds up back to the Colombia GK. A pair of passes targeting Morgan, neither get to her, Rodman, is down, Colombia with another ball deep in the area, miss hit and taken away. Again Morgan sought out, too far. US keeps it about 20 yards out for a throw in. Fox with a foul throw, not called. Montoya with a very hopeful shot, skies it at 43’, not many chances, do not squander them like this. Colombia presses Montoya gets the ball, US pressure caused them to go back to the GK after almost giving up a throw in near the half. Fox takes a throw near midfield, takes some time, the coach of Colombia is waving his arms, no card. Naeher, well off her line, too much for me as a team mate was right there. Rodman again involved in an incident, just her hand trailing but did get the player hoping not into in the eye but was in the face, no foul there. 6’ extra time, Colombia I am sure wanted less to catch their breath. Coffee beats the first tackle not the next, Fox to Rodman into Shaw and she nets one a 47’. Exactly as it should be, get it wide play get it into the 6, goal, Rodman did not even need to pick up her head for a player, this is all but a set piece. Horan called for a foul near midfield, not bad to kill some time. Fox carries too much and the US does win a throw, but do not carry through the center in your defensive third, keep the shutout going into the half. A long shot is deflected and Naeher holds as long as she can. Shaw for Horna tripped just beyond the area, the kick will surely be the last play with time up, the right call is a DFK, out of the area. Pushing Morgan from the back, Arias is down. The wall is set at the penalty spot, this will be a shot no doubt. Horan held the ball and is now over it, will it be a blast or targeted shot, let’s see. Again a Colombia player interrupts play. Nighswonger also at the ball, I do not see her taking it Horan, off the post, Nighswonger sails the rebound.
The US should be happy with this first half, they must move the ball quicker and not gee goaded into retaliations. Colombia should force the game and try to get an early one, maybe catch the US off guard.
Purce in for Rodman, another Gotham player is also on. This is a smart sub to keep Rodman eligible for the next game and the team not down a player as she has had some hard challenges even after the yellow, and has been subjected to a number of hard fouls. Purce takes on a pair and gets the ball into the area played out for a US throw. A quick restart but Colombia has them in on goal but the ball played in is grabbed by the GK. Before this Horan was laid out by a moving pick not really allowed in soccer, but it was play on? An unforced error gives the US the ball just beyond the area on a throw, now NIghswonger in clear view of the ref is tossed to the ground, again no call. Purce delayed to a lead ball, gets the call but the hard physical fouls go unpunished? The long ball finds Horan barely off the side of her head and Morgan had no chance to get it. A restart by Colombia into the area is controlled by Nahere. Great open field tackle by Colombia on Morgan, problem is this is not American football. Horan shields a ball off her chest and is taken to the ground, no call. Coffey beats a slide tackle lays it off and gets it back. A good no call as players get tangled and a call as Girma is fouled. Lavelle in for Shaw, just two more players from Gotham to go. Long shot by the US is pushed wide. A corner is played into the center, it is boxed out by the GK and the US regains it and gets another corner. Coffey again, seeking Horan it runs long and Lavelle gets to the throw in. Purce dispossessed for another throw, again taken by her teammate, Nighswonger, a goal to her credit already today. Lavelle with a nutmeg cuts it back, lays it back and it gets lost. Lavelle cannot catch up to an ambitious lead ball off a first time pass from Nighswonger. Nighswonger looks for Purce on a long headball, she collides with a player. Morgan gets a clearing ball, has Horan with 2 more ahead of her, she goes back with the ball. Teams are trading possessions, Horan gets tied up, and puts her leg up while down tripping her opponent, not enough for a red, but a solid yellow is issued. Lavelle is run over after being pulled down and a yellow is given a 68’. Distant DFK first ball to Horan, Morgan and Purce are at the far post as Morgan missed, sending it high a very difficult ball to tuck away. Moultrie and Smith are in Morgan & Albert are off. Moultrie has the ball under her feet and is fouled to the ground in the area. Just saw a woman with a Pibe wig in the crowd. Late whistle on a Colombian foul and it’s now a yellow as he offender jumped in frustration, then kicked the ball away. Smith for Moultrie and she is well wide. Smith helps a Colombian player to the ground and gets called for it. Arias hacks Smith to the floor with less than 10’ to go. From their attacking half to the GK for the USA. Smith gets the ball, lays it back to Lavelle to Moultrie and again she has trouble controlling it. Coffey steps up, makes a steal then a throw in. Sonnett in for Horan. Emilly has been used as a midfielder since the World Cup it will be interesting to see how her club team, the defending NWSL champions utilize her. Nighswonger blocks a shot for a corner at 86’. Off the corner a Colombia player is down holding her head, she is up fast. Smith is sandwiched by a pair and all here remain down. One hit her low sending her one direction, one hit her high, the next high putting her the other way & down. Her right knee is getting some attention. A lot of torque was on it. All are now up. Extra time of 3’ are coming. The US with another corner by Coffey coming, targeting Moultrie she gets to it and heads well over the frame.
Though always in control of the game, the US did not look good, this performance does not beat Canada in my mind, should they persevere, next up Mexico or Brazil no easy way to the title.