Mia Fishel scored her first international goal in her hometown to spark the U.S. women’s national team to a 3-0 victory in a friendly against Colombia in San Diego on Sunday.
Fishel, in her second appearance, put the Americans ahead in the 56th minute, and Lindsey Horan followed with another goal six minutes later for a 2-0 lead. Jaedyn Shaw, an 18-year-old forward who made her debut on Thursday, scored in the 83rd minute.
The goals came after Casey Murphy made two saves in the opening three minutes of the second half to preserve the scoreless match for the Americans.
Those were her only saves for her fifth shutout this year. Starter Alyssa Naeher has nine in 2023. The U.S. has allowed two goals in 16 matches this year.
Fishel’s goal, a header from 6 yards out, came via a cross by Emily Sonnett. Horan’s 30th career goal was a side-volley from an Emily Fox service.
Shaw, who plays for San Diego Wave FC in the National Women’s Soccer League, took a pass from Alyssa Thompson to score from the middle of the box.
The U.S. is 10-0-2 all-time vs. Colombia, including a 0-0 tie on Thursday in Sandy, Utah.
In that match, Alex Morgan failed to convert a penalty kick late in the first half and the U.S. was unable to find the breakthrough goal over the final 45 minutes.
There were plenty of chances in Sunday’s rematch for the Americans to put a goal on the board early, but once again their efforts were for naught.
Horan was the impetus for most of the opportunities, starting with a header over the frame in the 11th minute off a set piece. Three minutes later, another header was saved by Natalia Giraldo, and in the 31st, Horan was in position to score but her header from 6 yards in front of the goal was blocked.
The other chance for the Americans came in the 21st minute off the foot of Morgan. Her rising shot from distance was greeted with a leaping, right-armed save from Giraldo.
–Field Level Media
