The US took two wins out of two to start 2021, with a pair of debut scorers getting the first and last goal of the game
The US women’s national team easily beat Colombia 6-0 in Orlando on Friday-evening, following Monday’s 4-0 win over the same opponent.
The two games closed the team’s camp in January, where a USWNT mainly trying at full strength to impress head coach Vlatko Andonovski ahead of this summer’s Olympics in Tokyo (should the tournament continue).
Here are three of the biggest takeaways from Friday’s game at Exploria Stadium.
Catarina Macario scores first USWNT goal
This week saw the USWNT debut of Catarina Macario, who is in all likelihood poised to become the team’s next big star. The Brazilian-born forward, who recently signed directly from Stanford University with European power Lyon, earned her first cap on Monday before scoring her first national team goal in the third minute on Friday.
“Cat is a different kind of player than I think we’ve ever had. She’s a different number 9 than we’ve ever had,” said Megan Rapinoe of the 21-year-old after Friday’s game. “She collapses a bit more, plays more like a false nine.
“Physically she’s already ready to be at this level and that’s a huge leap for many people to move from university to this level to compete physically.
“She’s going to be one of those fun players you love – someone who will get the fans excited, someone who will release something creative or a nutmeg.”
Sam Mewis leaves injured
The US was shocked when Sam Mewis collided with a Colombia defender in the middle of the second half. The Man City midfielder seemed to be in a lot of pain on the field after her left ankle rolled under her. She was able to slowly walk down the field on her own before being seen on the bench with ice wrapped around her ankle.
Mewis has been in great shape for the USWNT and Man City. Rapinoe called her “the best player on our team right now” after the game, so any injury problem would be a major concern for club and country.
Andonovski said Mewis would be examined after the match, adding that her high pain threshold made it difficult to determine her prognosis right away.
“She’s very strong and very tough,” said the USWNT coach. “When we first asked [how she was] she said, “I’m fine,” but we take all the exams and follow the entire protocol to make sure she’s okay.
She’s tough and we don’t know what ‘good’ means in her world. We will soon find out how she feels. ‘
Crystal Dunn and Midge Purce attack
Crystal Dunn and Midge Purce are both natural attackers who have moved to defense with the USWNT. Dunn, in particular, transformed from a dynamic attacking midfielder into a rock-solid left back who shone during the USWNT’s run to the 2019 World Cup.
Fans have been pushing for both players to get a chance on offense for the US and Andonovski committed on Friday night. Purce in particular made headlines by scoring her first USWNT goal in the 86th minute with a header from Carli Lloyd’s cross.
“We know Midge is a good attacker,” Andonovski said of a player who was mainly used as a right back for the national team.
“We have clearly seen something in her that can help us or help her become a good fullback and we will continue to work as we move forward. But when we need a forward she is clearly good enough and has shown that they do a good job right there. “
About Dunn, he added, “Crystal has to be the most versatile player on the field. I literally feel comfortable putting Crystal in any position on the field and I know she will make it to the standard set.”