The United States women weren’t their dominant selves on Tuesday night, but they did what they had to in order to win their group in the Olympics soccer tournament. They gave up two disappointing free kick goals to Colombia, but scored two themselves, and that 2-2 draw kept them in first place.
USWNT draws Colombia 2-2, but still tops women’s Olympic soccer group
On a disappointing day, the American women still got the result they needed.
Catalina Usme stunned the Americans in the 26th minute, scoring off a direct free kick that went between the legs of goalkeeper Hope Solo. Usme did well to get the ball over the wall and down with some power, but it still should have been a routine save for Solo, who couldn’t hang on.
Megan Rapinoe, who was handed her first start since recovering from a torn ACL, was substituted off in the 32nd minute. The sub didn’t appear to be because of an injury to Rapinoe, but was planned, with Mallory Pugh entering to replace her.
The USWNT found their equalizer just before halftime, with Crystal Dunn scoring in the 41st minute. Christen Press set up the chance with a through ball to Carli Lloyd, who had her shot saved off the bar. But Dunn reacted quickly, poking in the rebound from just outside the 6-yard box.
Dunn also had a big hand in setting up the second goal on the hour mark. After she switched sides with Pugh, moving to the left, she played a ball across to the opposite wing for Pugh to latch onto. The 18-year-old dribbled past the entire Colombian defense, beating a large swarm of people in yellow shirts before scoring from inside the box.
It looked like the United States was going to coast to a win, but they gave up a 90th-minute winner, with Usme taking advantage of a mistake by Solo again. The Colombian swung a free kick in from the right wing that Solo tried to punch, but she missed and the ball sailed into the net.
Sadly for Colombia, it was just a consolation goal. Despite earning an impressive point against the Americans, they’re out of the tournament. The United States will play a to-be-determined third-placed team on Friday.
