Article author:
Reuters
Sophia Smith beat Colombia 3-0 in a friendly match in Commerce City, Colorado on Saturday, beating Thailand with two goals in the second half.
Smith took a 2-0 lead from Rose Label with 54 and 60 minutes off-assist. Taylor Corniec scored a heading shot 90 minutes after Megan Rapinoe's free kick in the national team's debut match.
Colombian goalkeeper Catalina Perez has stopped two penalty shootouts out of five saves.
The United States has extended its undefeated home win streak to 61 wins and 7 draws. During that span, the Americans surpassed their enemies by 258-28. In the last 30 games on US soil, they have created a scoring margin of 128-4.
The team will play again on Tuesday in Sundi, Utah.
With Smith's goal, Ravel was able to create a turnover near the central circle and laser the path between the defenders to reach Smith on a stride.
On her first goal, Perez went off her line and Smith sneaked her into a shot. Second, Smith took Perez to the ground and lifted the shot over her prone keeper.
The United States took the lead in half-time, overtaking Colombia 12-0 and driving Perez into three saves. The most striking thing was when I stopped Lindsey Horan's penalty kick in the 45th minute.
Smith, from Windsor, Colorado, drew a foul by Carolina Arias as he dribbled and stumbled on the left side of the box. Horan then went to that location and targeted his lower left corner, but Perez read the attempt and saved it.
Aria was found guilty again in the 69th minute, this time fouling Alex Morgan. Ravel took a penalty and went to the same place as Horan, but Perez started the job again.
Things went smoothly for US keeper Casey Murphy, who didn't face a shot at the goal.
– Field-level media
