Megan Rapinoe’s Two Goals Boost U.S. To 6-0 Friendly Win Over Colombia

Lynn Williams celebrates after she scores a goal against Colombia at Exploria Stadium on Jan. 22, 2021 in Orlando, Florida.

Newcomers and veterans alike shared in the goal scoring Friday night in Orlando, Florida, as the U.S. women’s soccer team beat Colombia 6-0 in the second of a pair of international friendlies.
Catarina Macario was the biggest newcomer of all — making her first start for the U.S. after her one-time switch from Brazil was approved by FIFA just nine days ago — and opened the scoring in the third minute. Captain Megan Rapinoe — playing in her 170th international match — doubled the lead in the 35th minute and scored from the penalty spot nine minutes later. Lynn Williams and substitute Lindsey Horan chipped in second-half goals, as did another newcomer in sub Margaret Williams-Purce. Williams-Purce scored her first career international goal in her third appearance.
Rapinoe, Williams and midfielders Julie Ertz and Sam Mewis were the only players to start both friendlies this week against Colombia as manager Vlatko Andonovski made seven changes from Monday’s 4-0 win. That included a totally new starting back line of Emily Sonnett, Tierna Davidson, Alana Cook and Ali Krieger that didn’t allow Colombia a single shot on goal. U.S. goalkeepers haven’t seen a shot on goal in three matches.
Friday’s match marked the two-year anniversary of the beginning of Team USA’s now 34-match unbeaten streak. Andonovski — off to a 13-0-0 start as U.S. manager — used both friendlies and their six allowed substitutions to look at as many players as possible in a year of preparation for the Olympic Games. The next competitive matches for Team USA come next month as the Americans look to defend their SheBelieves Cup title. The U.S. will face Canada, Brazil and Japan again in Orlando.