The US Women’s National Team claimed their eighth SheBelieves Cup with a 1-0 win against Colombia at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday night.
A late goal by 21-year-old striker Alyssa Thompson brought the USWNT the cup after a passionate Colombian side deterred several previous attempts on target. The USWNT held three clean sheets in the 11th edition of the tournament, bringing them to 5W-0D-0D in 2026 and undefeated in their last nine matches since their loss to Portugal on October 23, 2025.
The USWNT's dominance in the SheBelieves Cup bodes well for the FIFA Women's World Cup in a little over a year. With Sophia Wilson making her return to competition and Mallory Pugh expected to follow, Head Coach Emma Hayes will have an abundance of players to choose from as the competition draws closer. With that in mind, here are four thoughts from tonight’s victory.
1. Alyssa Thompson meets the moment
It was Thompson who stepped up 82 minutes into the game to give the US the lead against Colombia with an assist from Gotham FC's own Jaedyn Shaw.
Shaw’s addition to the pitch at the 61st minute gave the US front line the additional adaptability needed to disrupt Colombia’s defense. Shaw’s ability to receive the ball after a missed attempt made all the difference.
Thompson previously attempted a shot on goal 15 minutes into the second half after receiving a pass from Rose Lavelle, but it was overshot to the right.
The Los Angeles native, who is the leading goalscorer in WSL matches for Chelsea with six, was recently named Young Player of the Year at the London Football Awards. The 21-year-old is quickly proving herself to be one of the USWNT's most dynamic young players with three goals and four assists in 26 international appearances.
2. An evenly matched first half
Despite what the result might suggest, the USWNT faced strong opposition from a spirited Colombian side. It wasn't clear who wanted the win more, given the passion and physicality displayed on the field.
Emma Hayes's team took a bit of time in the first half to find their groove, allowing Las Cafeteras to aggressively push their offensive line. The US held most of the possession, but it was Colombia that made the most impact when holding the ball, registering the only shot on target in the first half. Both Maithé López and Ana Guzmán had the best chances in the first 45 minutes, both assisted by Daniela Montoya. The Grêmio FBPA midfielder showed her experience with decisive passes, leading to two shots on goal.
The U.S. picked up its pace following an attempt on goal by Sam Coffey to force Colombia on the defensive, but even that wasn't enough to give the Americans an edge. Gotham's Emily Sonnett was a force of her own, directing the US defense with two interceptions and one clearance, but Colombian defender Manuela Vanegas effectively sidelined Trinity Rodman during her time on the pitch. A 42nd-minute redirected cross from Lavelle off of Avery Patterson could have made the difference, but Tapia was faster.
The first half ended after three minutes of stoppage time following a failed attempt at a goal from the corner by Colombia. It was, perhaps, a surprising first half for the USWNT, given that they lead Colombia 43-2 in goals scored across 14 meetings.
3. The US powerhouse
If the first half was evenly matched, the second half was anything but. The USWNT came onto the pitch with something to prove. The difference was found on the bench.
It was clear from the first few minutes of the second half that Hayes was pursuing a more aggressive strategy. “Our play was average,” Hayes said of the first 45 minutes. Average wasn’t good enough for Hayes as she made changes to the lineup 60 minutes in. Shaw came on for Ally Sentnor, Olivia Moultrie for Lavelle, Lindsey Heaps for Yohannes, and Emma Sears for Rodman, all substitutes made to reverse the pace of the match and put the pressure on Las Cafeteras.
Several times, the US pushed towards Colombian goalkeeper Katherine Tapia. Several times, they were thwarted. The Americans refused to relent, though attempts made by Tara Rudd and Sam Coffey were either stopped by Tapia or disrupted by Colombian defenders.
“This Colombia team was better than it was 12 months ago,” Hayes said, which she believes is a testament to the development of the game at the world stage. In Hayes’ own words, even when the US is not at its best, they’ll manage to find a way. Versatility, she said, and finding a different approach to Colombia’s defense is what pushed the US to the win in the second half.
4. Goodbye, Tobin Heath
The USWNT bid farewell to national star and New Jersey native Tobin Heath prior to kickoff in a retirement ceremony honoring her longstanding career. The 37-year-old notched 36 goals and 42 assists in 181 international appearances for the United States in a career that saw her win two Olympic gold medals and back-to-back FIFA Women’s World Cup titles. not to mention the two NWSL championships she won with the Portland Thorns.
Amidst all of her international successes and professional accolades, it's her childhood in New Jersey that lies at the heart of Heath's career. Thus, it seems fitting to say goodbye to the self-proclaimed "Jersey girl" in her home state.
Celebrating one of the greatest to ever play the game, Tobin Heath ❤️
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 2026-03-07T20:58:19.651Z
"When you're from Jersey, it's associated with a lot of grit," Heath said ahead of the ceremony. "Jersey is embedded in my algorithm."
Accompanying Heath was a soccer ball signed by USWNT legend Brandi Chastain that sat on her bedside table in her childhood bedroom. Heath credits the 1999 UWSNT team as one of the biggest inspirations of her career, leading her to her own dominant runs with the USWNT between 2015 and 2019. Nearly thirty years later, Heath now stands as the inspiration for young women and girls, if the roars of applause greeting her as she stepped onto the field were any indication.
"This is what [women's sports] is all about, showing that representation, but also making [women's sports] so accessible that you cannot deny that it's there," Heath said.
