US women dominate Colombia SOCCER

ORLANDO, Fla, Jan 19, (AP): Having collected her first career hat-trick, the celebration continued for Samantha Mewis as she cheered on her big sister Kristie.

Samantha Mewis scored three goals and Kristie added another to give the United States a 4-0 exhibition victory over short-handed Colombia on Monday.

The US extended their unbeaten streak to 33 matches. The defending World Cup champions have a 49-game undefeated streak on home soil. The teams were set to play at Exploria Stadium again on Friday.

It was the first home game for the Americans since the SheBelieves Cup last March. Colombia did not play a match last year.

Alex Morgan was not with the team because she contracted the coronavirus over the holidays. Carli Lloyd started up top against the Colombians. Megan Rapinoe also started after taking much of last year off because of concern over COVID-19.

Rapinoe served up a perfectly placed cross to Samantha Mewis in front of the goal in the fourth minute. The younger Mewis, who plays for Manchester City of the FA Women’s Super League, scored again in the 33rd minute. She converted a penalty kick early in the second half to complete the hat trick before subbing out.

Kristie Mewis, who came in as a sub in the second half, scored in the 86th minute. It was her third international goal.

The television broadcast caught Samantha’s enthusiastic applause in the stands after her sister’s goal. Kristie has earned call-ups to the national team recently following her standout play for the Houston Dash.