MIAMI, Florida – The United States will be looking to rebound from their group stage finale defeat to rivals Mexico when they take on Colombia in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup on Sunday night at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
The U.S. finished second in Group A after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Mexico, but a chance to bounce back is presented in the knockout round in the 13th meeting all-time between the four-time Women’s World Cup champions and the 2022 Copa America Femenina runners-up.
The U.S. own a 10W-2D-0L advantage in the series against Colombia in which the last six meetings were friendlies, including a pair last October when they played to a 0-0 draw, followed by a 3-0 U.S. win.
Fifteen of the U.S. players on this W Gold Cup squad played against Colombia last fall, so they will feel very familiar with their South American opponents.
No team registered more shots (62) and shots on target (26) in the group stage than the U.S. Leading the way were the likes of Jaedyn Shaw, Lindsey Horan and Alex Morgan.
Shaw had a pair of goals in the 4-0 victory over Argentina, Horan completed the most passes (98) and Morgan found the back of the net twice.
Colombia finished in second-place in Group B, defeating Panama and Puerto Rico while narrowly falling to Brazil, 1-0.
Many of the players that lit up the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Colombia’s run to the quarterfinals are in tow in this W Gold Cup, including Linda Caicedo and Maria Usme.
MARÍA. CATALINA. USME. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dd7eTnJmPt
— W Gold Cup (@GoldCup) February 28, 2024
Usme has two goals and three assists thus far, while Caicedo has a pair of goals. Others to watch include Manuela Vanegas, who had a goal and an assist to go along with four ball recoveries and 148 passes in the group stage, while GK Natalia Giraldo recorded two clean sheets.
With talent bursting at the seams on both sides, this affair has all the makings of an instant classic.
Match Officials United States vs Colombia
REF: MARIANELA ARAYA (Costa Rica)
AR1: MIJENSA RENSCH (Suriname)
AR2: LIDIA AYALA (El Salvador)
4TH: SANDRA BENITEZ (El Salvador)
VAR: TATIANA GUZMAN (Nicaragua)
VAR1: AMAIRANY GARCIA (Mexico)
