313 days after their last match on American soil, the U.S. Women's National Team defeated Colombia 4-0 in Orlando, Florida. Despite missing key attackers Tobin Heath and Christen Press, both of whom elected to stay in Manchester, the team looked sharp and fit. The team also missed forward Alex Morgan who is observing Covid protocols after testing positive for the virus. The Colombian side also missed four players due to pandemic protocols as a precaution. Despite the pandemic, U.S. Soccer was able to welcome fans to Exploria Stadium. 4,000 seats were available out of the 25,000 seats at Exploria, the Orlando Pride’s stomping grounds.

In the first half, the USWNT maintained a high level of pressure, pushing forward on both flanks and firing shots at Colombian goalkeeper Sandra Sepulveda. Despite Sepulveda’s agility and impressive saves, a composed finish in the 4th minute from USWNT midfielder Sam Mewis set the tone for a dominant performance. Half an hour later, the reigning U.S. Soccer player of the year, Mewis registered her second goal of the night and 20th of her International career off of a Carli Lloyd header.

At the half, Catarina Macario subbed in for Megan Rapinoe. Macario, a 21 year old out of Stanford recently signed with Olympique Lyonnais, forgoing her senior year with the Cardinal. In the 46th minute, a foul was committed on midfielder Lindsey Horan. Looking for a hat-trick, Mewis stepped up to the spot and slotted a penalty kick to register her third of the match. Mewis, lovingly referred to as the ‘Tower of Power’ currently plays for Manchester City, netting six goals in her last sixteen matches for City. In the 63rd minute, Houston Dash forward Kristie Mewis, Sam’s older sister, came in for Lindsey Horan as did Manchester City’s Rose Lavelle, replacing Sam Mewis. Despite multiple substitutions, one of which being 15 year old Linda Lizeth Caicedo Alegria, the Colombians were unable to break through and get a shot on goal. The USWNT maintained 64% of possession with 22 shots on goal. In the 72nd minute, defender Kelley O’Hara came off for Midge Purce and defender Crystal Dunn came out for Emily Sonnett. In December, both O’Hara and Sonnett signed with the Washington Spirit. In the 86th minute, Kristie Mewis netted her 3rd International goal off of a Carli Lloyd cross.

Improving to 12-0-0 under Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski’s reign, the Mewis sisters and the rest of the USWNT look ahead to Friday’s rematch against Colombia.