FIVE THINGS TO KNOW: USA VS. COLOMBIA
Storage Preferences
The U.S. Women’s National Team kicks off its 2025 campaign in Houston, Texas, facing Colombia on the opening day of the SheBelieves Cup, presented by Visa. After winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the USWNT returns to competitive play with an evolving roster under head coach Emma Hayes.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of USA vs. Colombia at Shell Energy Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT (TBS, Universo, Max, Peacock).
While the USWNT held a January training camp for senior players in Florida alongside a Futures Camp to evaluate up-and-coming talent, this will be the team’s first match of 2025.
The U.S. has dominated this tournament historically, winning seven of the previous nine editions. This year’s competition features Colombia, Australia, and Japan—three teams that all reached at least the quarterfinals at the last World Cup or Olympics. The U.S. is also perfect in Houston historically, with a 13-0-0 record in Houston and is 10-0-0 at Shell Energy Stadium.
The USWNT has faced Colombia 13 times and holds an 11-0-2 record in the series. Their most recent meeting came in the Concacaf W Gold Cup quarterfinals in March 2024, where the U.S. secured a 3-0 win behind goals from Lindsey Heaps (formerly Horan), Jenna Nighswonger, and Jaedyn Shaw.
Colombia has proven to be a rising force in women’s soccer, reaching the quarterfinals of both the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Olympics. In the Olympics, they finished third in their group and battled Spain to a 2-2 draw before exiting on penalties.
The most recent matches between the teams before the W Gold Cup clash came in October of 2023 when the teams played to a 0-0 draw in Utah before the U.S. responded with a 3-0 win in San Diego three days later. The two nations also met recently at the youth level in the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup last October, where the U.S. earned a commanding 2-0 win in the group stage and would go on to eventually secure bronze.
Emma Hayes’ first official squad of 2025 introduces a mix of fresh faces, key returns, and milestone moments:
With an average age of 24.9 years and 33.2 caps per player, the USWNT’s SheBelieves Cup, presented by Visa roster features a promising mix of experience and youth. Three teenagers—Lily Yohannes (17), Claire Hutton (19), and Gisele Thompson (19)—are on the roster. Hutton and Michelle Cooper, both of the Kansas City Current, earned their first senior USWNT call-ups after strong showings at January’s Futures Camp.
Yohannes, a rising star at Ajax, signed professionally at 15 and committed to the U.S. in November 2024. She made her senior debut last year, scoring against Korea Republic and now looks to make her SheBelieves Cup, presented by Visa debut after being on the roster in 2024 but not featuring. Ally Sentnor, the 2024 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year, also joins after earning her first two caps in matches against England and the Netherlands to close out 2024.
Colombia has been steadily climbing the world rankings over the years, currently sitting at No. 21 in FIFA’s latest update. Head coach Ángelo Marsiglia continues to refine a possession-based 4-3-3 system made up of domestic, European and NWSL talent.
Key players to watch:
Colombia’s recent results include a 1-1 draw and a 3-1 loss to Brazil, plus a penalty shootout defeat to Argentina. They’ll be eager to test themselves against the reigning Olympic champions.
GOALKEEPERS (3): 1-Luisa Agudelo (Deportivo Cali), 12-Katherine Tapia (Palmeiras, BRA), 13-Natalia Giraldo (America de Cali)
DEFENDERS (8): 2-Mary José Álvarez (Atlético Nacional), 3-Daniela Arias (Corinthians, BRA), 4-Ana Guzmán (Utah Royals, USA), 5-Yirleidis Minota (C.F. Pachuca, MEX), 14-Angela Barón (Racing Louisville, USA), 16-Jorelyn Carabali (Brighton & Hove Albion FC, ENG), 17-Carolina Arias (América de Cali), 22-Daniela Caracas (RCD Espanyol, ESP)
MIDFIELDERS (6): 6-Daniela Montoya (Gremio, BRA); 8-Marcela Restrepo (C.F. Monterrey, MEX), 10-Leicy Santos (Washington Spirit, USA), 11-Catalina Usme (Galatasaray SK, TUR), 20-Sara Sofia Restrepo (Atlético Nacional), 21-Maria Camila Reyes (Santa Fe)
FORWARDS (6): 7-Manuela Pavi (West Ham United FC, ENG), 9-Mayra Ramírez (Chelsea FC, ENG), 15-Wendy Candelo (Pumas UNAM, MEX), 18-Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid, ESP), 19-Karla Torres (Leicester City FC, ENG), 23-Ivonne Chacon (Levante UD, ESP)
The USWNT will take on Colombia this Thursday, Feb. 20 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT. Fans can watch live on TBS, Universo, Max, and Peacock.
GET UNRIVALED MATCHDAY ACCESS
NEW YEAR, NEW CHALLENGE
USA VS. COLOMBIA: SERIES HISTORY
INSIDE THE ROSTER
NEW TALENT ON THE RISE
SCOUTING COLOMBIA
COLOMBIA WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER BY POSITION
GO DEEPER
RELATED STORIES
LATEST STORIES
Japan Downs Australia 4-0 to Open 2025 SheBelieves Cup, Presented by Visa, in Chilly Houston as Mina Tanaka Bags a Brace
USWNT vs. Colombia: Starting XI
How to Watch and Stream the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, presented by Visa
Japan Downs Australia 4-0 to Open 2025 SheBelieves Cup, Presented by Visa, in Chilly Houston as Mina Tanaka Bags a Brace
USWNT vs. Colombia: Starting XI
How to Watch and Stream the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, presented by Visa
How to Watch and Stream the USWNT vs. Colombia
Diego Burato Calls 18 Players Ahead of U.S. Women’s Futsal National Team’s First Set of International Matches
U.S. Soccer and Westwood One Reach English-Language Audio Rights Agreement
Catarina Macario and Ally Sentnor scored goals and the United States beat Colombia 2-0 in the SheBelieves Cup opener for both teams on Thursday night.
Most viewed
SheBelieves Cup watchlist: The U.S. players fighting for spots in Emma Hayes’ team
International Football
Jeff Rueter is a senior soccer writer for The Athletic who covers the game in North America, Europe, and beyond. No matter how often he hears the Number 10 role is “dying,” he’ll always leave a light on for the next great playmaker.
