Daily Times (Primos, PA)

Smith scores twice, U.S. women beat Colombia

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COMMERCE CITY, COLO. » Sophia Smith scored twice in the second half and the U.S. women’s national team beat Colombia 3-0 on Saturday night to extend its home unbeaten streak to 68 games.

Taylor Kornieck, making her national team debut, added a late goal.

On Tuesday, the teams will meet again in Sandy, Utah, as the United States readies for World Cup qualifying in the CONCACAF W Championsh­ip next month in Monterrey, Mexico. The United States is the two-time defending World Cup champion.

Smith scored her first in the 54th minute off a pass from Rose Lavelle when Colombian goalkeeper Catalina Perez came out of her goal.

Smith, who plays for the Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League, has six internatio­nal goals.

Perez made two penalty saves. She stopped Lindsey Horan’s attempt late in the first half, and then saved Lavelle’s chance in the 70th.

All eyes were on the team to see if they would make any collective demonstrat­ion on field over Friday’s Supreme Court ruling rolling back Roe v. Wade. Instead, U.S. Soccer released a statement before the game.

“As our women’s national team represents the U.S. on the field today in Colorado, the occasion serves as a reminder of the rights and freedoms that women and their allies have fought for, earned and deserve,” the statement said. “The Supreme Court ruling on June 24 is counter to the freedoms promised as a nation and as a people. U.S. Soccer will advocate at every opportunit­y for human rights, including the right to make personal healthcare decisions as there is no equality without bodily autonomy.”

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