US defeats Colombia to advance to Women’s World Cup quarterfinals

It was a win-lose situation for the United States on Monday night in its first knockout match at the Women’s World Cup.

Although it dominated the second half to post a 2-0 win over Colombia at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, the U.S. is faced with replacing two key starters for Friday’s quarterfinal match with China in Ottawa.

Midfielders Lauren Holiday and Megan Rapinoe each picked up yellow cards in the first half Monday, forcing them to sit out Friday night because of accumulation.

Meanwhile, it was a red card on Colombia goalie Catalina Perez in the 49th minute that shaped Monday’s match. Challenging forward Alex Morgan on her run down the left side, Perez tripped Morgan at the edge of the 18-yard box and was sent off by French referee Stephanie Frappart.

While forward Abby Wambach fanned the penalty kick wide left, Morgan made up for that missed chance in the 53rd minute. Charging down the right side, Morgan ripped a shot off the outstretched left hand of backup goalie Stefany Castano and into the net for her first goal of the event.

Another penalty kick went much better for the U.S. in the 66th minute. After Rapinoe’s run into the penalty box was met with a trip from midfielder Angela Clavijo, midfielder Carli Lloyd buried the PK for her 64th career international goal.

The U.S. defense took care of the rest, recording its third straight clean sheet and stretching its scoreless streak to 288 minutes. Goalie Hope Solo made just two saves — both in the second half.

The U.S. held slight advantages in possession and shots during the first half but couldn’t convert those into a lead. Wambach was called offsides in the fourth minute, nullifying her goal off a rebound of a shot by midfielder Tobin Heath.

Colombia generated good pressure in the first half’s last five minutes with a couple of corner kicks and a handful of free kicks off U.S. fouls, but couldn’t put a shot on net.

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