USWNT vs. Colombia score, takeaways: USA soccer kick off SheBelieves Cup with impressive display

It was a comprehensive victory for the red, white and blue

The U.S. women's national team kicked off 2025 on a winning note, beating Colombia 2-0 in the team's first game of the SheBelieves Cup. Head coach Emma Hayes is using the competition to experiment with inexperienced players and new tactical ideas, with several rising to the occasion. The list includes goal scorers Catarina Macario and Ally Sentnor, two of 14 players who entered camp with 20 or fewer international appearances. Macario scored the game's first goal in the 33rd minute, marking her first USWNT goal in three years after spending much of that time dealing with an ACL tear.

Sentnor, the reigning U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year, nabbed her first senior international goal in the 60th minute. She did it in style, receiving the ball on the left flank before cutting in and scoring from distance.

Hayes also used the occasion to hand out first caps to defender Tara McKeown, who impressed as a starter, as well as substitutes Michelle Cooper and Gisele Thompson.

The USWNT return to play on Sunday against Australia at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., before wrapping up the SheBelieves Cup on Wednesday against Japan at San Diego's Snapdragon Stadium.

Macario's triumphant return

Macario played only her second USWNT game in three years on Thursday, making a long-awaited return after missing both the 2023 Women's World Cup and the 2024 Olympic Games with injuries. Even without the goal, though, her performance against Colombia offered a quick reminder as to why she's one of the most hyped members of the USWNT's player pool – her service was a particular highlight, putting together a showing that demonstrated her range. Her particular skillset also means she brings something a little bit different than her teammates, which could lead her to become a very important attacking option over the next few years if she stays fit.

New faces impress

While Macario's impressive outing was a long time coming, some newcomers also left their mark on the game. Lily Yohannes was perhaps the standout of the day, excelling in the midfield alongside Macario and truly making a case that she can help restore a balance that's been missing in the center of the park for a while. Sentnor, meanwhile, was very impactful up top and took advantage of the opportunities afforded to her with the absence of the "triple espresso" – Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman and Sophia Wilson (formerly Smith). The same is true for Tara McKeown, who took a longer journey to win her first cap but stood out at center back alongside Emily Sonnett.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 10:01 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

FT: USA 2, COL 0

The USWNT opens 2025 on a strong note with a win, and it's hard not to think that several players made a case for themselves today. On a day when Hayes was happy to hand the keys to inexperienced players, several rose to the occasion -- Macario and Sentnor are obvious standouts after scoring goals, but Yohannes was a revelation in midfield in her first start and McKeown also impressed in her debut. It definitely gives Hayes -- and USWNT onlookers alike -- plenty of food for thought as the exciting period of experimentation continues.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 9:51 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Colombia go forward

80' It's been a while since Colombia found themselves in the USWNT's penalty area but Caicedo causes some chaos, with Fox and Yohannes pitching in to help the hosts keep a clean sheet, Colombia earn a corner and Caicedo plays a nice ball into the box, but Heaps clears it out for another corner. Caicedo tries to repeat the last play but sends the ball out.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 9:48 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

More USWNT substitutions

76' Nighswonger and Coffey come off for G. Thompson and Albert, with G. Thompson earning her first cap. Gisele Thompson is the younger sister of Alyssa, who was a member of the USWNT's 2023 World Cup squad.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 9:46 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Sentnor's at it again

74' Cooper has the ball on the right flank and plays a well-placed ball straight into the penalty area, where it meets a darting Sentnor. The Utah Royals player gets another impressive shot off, but can't get the ball into the back of the net. She's really had a terrific second half, though, joining a growing list of up-and-comers who've impressed today.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 9:36 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

USWNT substitutions

64' Hayes makes her first substitutions of the game, with Biyendolo and Cooper coming on for Macario and Ryan. This marks a debut for Cooper, a forward and rising talent with the Kansas City Current.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 9:33 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Sentnor nearly scores again

62' Sentnor, the reigning U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year, nearly has a second goal in as many minutes after getting on the end of a pass from Heaps. She's in a good spot but can't find the target, but it was a promising look at goal.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 9:30 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

GOAL! USA 2, COL 0

60' Sentnor doubles the USWNT's lead, scoring her first senior goal in style! She receives the ball on the left flank, cuts her way inside and then shoots from distance, sending the ball in the top corner with a shot the 'keeper could do nothing about.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 9:26 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Ryan shoots from distance

54' Ryan receives a pass and despite yards from goal, she finds an opening and takes the shot from distance. The shot doesn't really challenge Tapia much and sails over the bar.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 9:17 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Second half underway

No changes for either side at the break, though Colombia have already used one sub, bringing on Baron for the injured Carabali.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 8:59 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

HT: USA 1, COL 0

This game may have started slow, but all in all, it was a nice 45 minutes for a USWNT that's still made up of players who are in the middle of preseason. Macario's game-opening goal serves as a very memorable moment, in large part because it was a long time coming for a talented player who has spent three years dealing with injuries. Even without the goal, though, Macario's been one of the standouts and so has Yohannes, who played a crucial pass that created the goal. The first half was full of promising moments from those two, who might find themselves as mainstays once Hayes is ready to lock in a lineup.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 8:53 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Colombia subtitution

43' Carabali is unable to continue so Colombia bring on Baron in their first substitution of the game.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 8:50 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Injury stoppage

39' Carabali is on the ground receiving treatment, and she appeared to be emotional shortly after falling down. It's unclear how bad the injury is but Colombia have substitutes warming up on the sideline and it looks like the visitors are getting ready to make a change.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 8:43 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

GOAL! USA 1, COL 0

33' Yohannes plays a brilliant ball to Ryan on the right flank, who then notices Macario making a great run to her left and sends the ball her way. Macario then wastes little time making contact with the ball and sending it straight into the back of the net from close range. It's her first goal since returning from the ACL tear that has limited her to just two games (today included) in the last three years for the USWNT.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 8:40 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Coffey with a chance

30' Heaps combines with Coffey and the latter takes a shot from close range that poses a big threat, but Tapia comes up with the point-blank save. Colombia would've been fine regardless -- the offside flag came up soon after Coffey's shot.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 8:35 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

USWNT gaining momentum

23' It felt like Colombia had the better rhythm at the start of the game, but the momentum has shifted the USWNT's way in about the last 10 minutes. Midfielders Macario and Yohannes have connected well so far -- an intriguing development amidst the USWNT's unresolved midfield issues of the last several years -- but overall, end product is lacking. It's probably par for the course in a game like this one, though, with so many players still shaking off the offseason rust.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 8:29 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Nighswonger off the crossbar!

18' The USWNT earn a corner and Nighswonger throws her hands up in the air to call for the ball, and she gets it. She's wide open so she goes straight to take a shot, but her well-hit ball hits the crossbar rather than landing in the back of the net.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 8:26 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Another injury stoppage

15' We have another brief stoppage in play with Pavi going down in the aftermath of an unsuccessful USWNT freekick near goal. Like Coffey a little earlier, she also receives some medical attention before going back to play when the game resumes.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 8:23 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Looking rusty

12' We're still waiting for the first shot of the game, with both teams lacking precision in their attacking movements to start this game. It's not so much of a surprise on the USWNT's front -- most of these players are still in preseason mode and are playing their first games of the year right now.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 8:17 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Coffey receiving treamtent

7' Coffey took a ball to the face and hit the ground, forcing a stoppage in play. She's currently receiving treatment and is on her feet, though that hasn't stopped a couple of players from beginning warm-ups. It appears that Coffey underwent a brief concussion test and she runs off the field and has a chat with Hayes.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 8:10 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

USA 0, COL 0

The USWNT's first game of 2025 is official underway in Houston.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 7:56 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

SheBelieves update

Japan beat Australia 4-0 earlier today in Houston, marking an impressive start for the Asian side. It could set up for a fascinating SheBeleives update -- Japan will play the USWNT in the finale in San Diego on Wednesday.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 7:41 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Catarina Macario's big night

This marks Catarina Macario's second game for the USWNT in three years, spending much of that time recovering from an ACL injury that kept her out of the 2023 Women's World Cup and 2024 Olympics. Emma Hayes, Macario's former coach at Chelsea and current U.S. coach, said she's ready to explore the player's versatility now that she's ready to be back in the fold.

• Hayes: "I think if I sat here with Cat, she would tell us all that her best position is probably a number 10 ... But you can see with no Sophia Smith, there's a shortage of less developed players, I think, coming through in the nine positions. But one thing's for sure, Cat can play in that position. Different type of nine to Soph in the way she stretches, but she has the ability to lean, to hold up, she's intelligent around the box."

Read about the players to watch at the SheBelieves Cup here.

[Feb 20, 2025 at 7:26 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Colombia starting XI

Linda Caicedo and Leicy Santos start for Colombia in their first SheBelieves Cup game. Here's a look at the visitors' team.

Colombia starting XI: Tapia, C. Arias, D. Arias, Minota, Carabali, Usme, Restrepo, Pavi, Santos, Caicedo, Ramirez

Substitutes: Agudelo, Alvarez, Guzman, Montoya, Giraldo, Baron, Bonilla, Torres, Martinez, Reyes, Caracas, Chacon

[Feb 20, 2025 at 7:11 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Catarina Macario starts

As promised, Emma Hayes is rolling with plenty of fresh faces for the first line up of 2025, including giving Washington Spirit defender Tara McKeown her first cap. A few familiar places are marking some milestones, though -- Catarina Macario will play only her second USWNT game since 2022, while Emily Sonnett wears the armband to celebrate her 100th cap. Here's the team news.

USWNT starting XI: Campbell; McKeown, Nighswonger, Sentnor, Heaps, Yohannes, Sonnett (Capt.), Coffey, Macario, Ryan, Fox

Substitutes: Sams, Albert, Biyendolo, A. Thompson, Shaw, Davidson, Sears, G. Thompson, Hutton, McGlynn, Dunn, Cooper

[Feb 20, 2025 at 3:35 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Hello and welcome!

It's a new year -- and perhaps a new look -- for the U.S. women's national team, who continue an era of experimentation when they take on Colombia at the SheBelieves Cup. Head coach Emma Hayes plans to take advantage of the long ramp to the 2027 Women's World Cup, so expect some newer faces and a batch of new tactical ideas as Hayes begins to mold the team in her vision.

Follow along for pre-game coverage and updates once the game kicks off.