US wins SheBelieves Cup as core squad becomes clear  – Equalizer Soccer

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The United States Women’s National Team overcame a stiff test posed by Colombia to lift its eighth SheBelieves Cup. Alyssa Thompson’s 82nd minute dart into the upper left corner served as both the match and tournament winner.

As the narrow 1-0 score line suggests, Colombia’s physical and disruptive play proved vexing for Emma Hayes’ side. Real Madrid’s Linda Caicedo and the Washington Spirit’s Leicy Santos were first half standouts. Caicedo’s vigor combined with Santos’ tactical intelligence cut through the United States’ midfield with relative ease. 

In the 31st minute, Santos nutmegged Lily Yohannes and served in a clever backheel to forward Maitane Lopez. Emily Sonnett wisely interrupted the movement, but it served as a warning shot to the U.S. back line. 

Colombia outshot the United States in the first half eight to three. Attackers Trinity Rodman, Ally Sentnor and Rose Lavelle could simply not find pockets of space to effectively combine. Rodman played in a deeper role, allowing Emily Fox to maraud forward with overlapping runs. However, the United States failed to pass with a great deal of urgency or connection. Hayes would later characterize the first hour of play as “sluggish” and “average”.

At halftime on the television broadcast, Hayes admitted, “Everything we are doing is a step off,” before warning, “But now we kill.” 

Those words would prove prophetic. The 58th minute introductions of Emma Sears, Lindsey Heaps, Jaedyn Shaw and Olivia Moultrie delivered in “bringing the energy,” as Hayes had requested. 

The four substitutes reclaimed control of the match and upped the tempo for the remaining starters – particularly Thompson and Sam Coffey. 

“Today, we won the game from the bench,” Hayes said in her post-match comments.

Sears presented a menacing threat on the right flank. Her strength, speed and excellent hold-up play provided an ongoing danger to Colombia’s tiring defense. In the 76th minute, her strong combination play with Shaw resulted in a sharp cross, but was not converted.

The breakthrough finally came in the match’s closing minutes. All four substitutes touched the ball in the attacking sequence that led to Thompson’s fine finish. Sears helped win the ball in transition and found Heaps. The veteran midfielder located Shaw in the box, who laid a cool ball off to Thompson. The Chelsea forward emphatically thumped the shot to make it 1-0. 

Though it is a friendly tournament, Hayes and her team celebrated with relief and euphoria.

For Hayes, the tournament win is a real accomplishment and stands as her first SheBelieves Cup victory. The United States finished as runners-up to Japan in the 2025 edition. 

Over a year’s worth of experimentation, heavy rotation, and a record number of international debuts crescendoes in this victory. It is the first time since the 2024 Summer Olympics Gold Medal match (which was just her 10th match at the helm of the USWNT) that Hayes made just two changes from her previous line-up. 

Despite the first half offensive impotence, the United States’ defense helped up valiantly throughout. Sonnett proved to be highly influential, both snuffing out Colombia chances and leading the charge in the build-out from the back. She has appeared in all 11 editions of the tournament, and is the only player with the distinction.

Naomi Girma was withdrawn with ‘calf stiffness’ at halftime. She was replaced by Tara Rudd, who deputized well. She helped silence Caicedo and calmly distributed from the back. Hayes highlighted the Spirit center back saying “[Rudd] made a big difference and brought in her physicality and sped up our play”.

Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce faced just one shot on target all afternoon. Saturday’s 1-0 result extends the USWNT’s shutout record to eight matches on the bounce, stretching back to October 2025. All eight matches have included a different starting back line.

Though not finalized, the picture of Hayes’ optimal squad heading into November’s 2027 FIFA World Cup qualifying is now clearer. 

The three teams the United States faced in this tournament (Argentina, Canada and Colombia) all presented a unique challenge, particularly as the squad’s NWSL-based players are in preseason form. A hefty hurdle is next up as the USWNT faces a triple header friendly series against Japan in April. 

For now, though, the U.S. can celebrate passing the test that was this tournament.