USWNT's win over Colombia can't mask struggles in front of goal before start of World Cup qualifying

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The United States women's national team would have been in for a rude awakening if there had been actual stakes in Tuesday's game.

The U.S. controlled the game, but that didn't translate into many good chances in a lackluster performance.

It would have been a good idea to question the root of the problems. Context is important. It wasn't going to be a good indicator of what to expect when the team attempts to qualify for the Women's World Cup next week, with a heavily rotating lineup that doesn't have much experience. The match was more about giving individuals match time and getting some final data for the coach to use when the team starts playing.

"I don't think there is a lot of anger," Andonovski said. It's a great learning opportunity for us.

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In the 22nd minute, the United States scored their first goal. The U.S. took the lead when a cross from the edge of the box went off a defender and into the net for a goal. The U.S. opponent has conceded five own goals this year, the most ever in a calendar year.

Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe were back in the starting lineup for the first time in nine games, but there was only one moment of celebration. They were joined by Midge Purce up front, but the trio struggled to break down the compact Colombian defense, as was the case in the first half against the U.S. Andonovski was not deterred.

It's not at all. The forwards did a good job. It's hard to find the forwards in a game like this when there are a lot of them. Alex was able to score a goal. Sophia scored the first goal. I think that is positive.

Individual performances in certain situations are being looked at. We can't evaluate a player for a long period of time. Specific moments will be looked at and how we can replicate them in the next game.

There was a 45 minute delay due to a lightning strike. After the weather cleared, Kelley O'Hara, who came on as a sub, volleyed a bouncing ball into the side net for her third international goal.

The first player with a limb difference to play for the U.S. will be remembered for the game.

With the management of minutes for Emily Fox that we had, we felt like Carson would be a good replacement and I'm happy that she was able to perform well for 90 minutes."

During the W Championship, the team is only able to have 23 players. A total of 26 were carried by Andonovski for the game against the South American country.

The type of game that we're most likely to have, or type of opponent that we're most likely to face, was a good thing for us. It was very tight and physical and we were prepared for it.

The United States will kick off the tournament against Haiti on Monday. Mexico and Jamaica are in the group.

The winner of the tournament will get to play in the World Cup and the runners-up will get to play in the Olympics. The winners of the intercontinental playoffs and the second- and third-place overall winners will be able to qualify for the Olympics.