The trio of young substitutes stole the show as the U.S. earned a 3-0 win.
At the start of the match, there was reason for disappointment. It looked like a game that was destined to be more of the same. Despite criticism from the last match against Colombia on Thursday, Twila Kilgore once again turned to a starting XI of World Cup veterans.
Those veterans weren't the story, at least not this time. No, the USNWT's young stars were the ones that stole the show, leading the way in a 3-0 win over Colombia.
Mia Fishel and Jaedyn Shaw joined Lindsey Horan on the scoresheet, as the captain's stunning goal was sandwiched between two first finishes from a pair of players that feel like they're up next. What made Shaw's goal even sweeter is that it was assisted by Alyssa Thompson, another rising teenager with a bright, bright future.
This was what fans of the USWNT had been hoping for. The young stars took control. Might it be a sign of things to come?
GOAL rates the USWNT players from Snapdragon Stadium…
GettyGoalkeeper & Defense
Casey Murphy (6/10):
Had one good save to start the second half as most of the match was played on the other side of the field.
Crystal Dunn (6/10):
Got forward a few times and impacted the game in a few moments, but was never going to play the full 90 with the playoffs looming.
Alana Cook (7/10):
Solid defensively and helped kickstart several attacks with some great passing. A good shift.
Naomi Girma (7/10):
Rock solid once again. Not much more to say at this point as she continues to put in these kinds of performances.
Emily Fox (8/10):
Great cross to find Horan for the second goal, headlining what was another really, really good performance.
AdvertisementGettyMidfield
Emily Sonnett (8/10):
Ridiculously good in midfield as she ran things with her play and her voice. Got the assist on Fischel's goal, too, to cap one of her better performances.
Lindsey Horan (8/10):
Absolutely ridiculous finish, and a deserved one at that. Horan was all over the place for the USWNT, showing why she remains so important to this USNWT group.
Savannah DeMelo (7/10):
She's definitely getting there. After being thrown into the fire at the World Cup, the attacking midfielder is looking more and more comfortable every game.
GettyAttack
Trinity Rodman (6/10):
Some good moments as she was able to beat her defender, but never quite had that end product.
Alex Morgan (5/10):
Didn't do much to improve things as her goal drought continues. Forced one big save, but she really, really needs a goal.
Sophia Smith (6/10):
Went one-on-one a bit too much and never quite got going in her 45 minutes.
Getty ImagesSubs & Manager
Jaedyn Shaw (8/10):
Can't ask for much more than that as Shaw got her goal in her second cap, but her first real USWNT runout.
Mia Fishel (8/10):
A sign of things to come? She's scored boatloads on the club level and is now off the mark with the USWNT.
Sam Coffey (7/10):
Good to see her finally get a good runout as she fights to really get into this midfield picture.
Sofia Huerta (6/10):
Couldn't quite get the crossing going in her 25-ish minutes.
Alyssa Thompson (8/10):
Got the assist on Shaw's goal as the teenage World Cup veteran made a statement of her own off the bench.
Ashley Sanchez (N/A):
Came on late with the game already settled.
Twila Kilgore (7/10):
Starting XI left a bit to be desired, but absolutely nailed the substitutions to add life to the game. A great performance and a glimpse into the new USWNT.