Smith scores two goals, U.S. women blank Colombia
Sophia Smith scored twice in the second half and the U.S. women’s national team beat Colombia 3-0 on Saturday night at Commerce City, Colorado, to extend its home unbeaten streak to 68 games.
Taylor Kornieck added a late goal in her national team debut.
On Tuesday night, 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 twotime 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. She added her second in the 60th minute.
Smith, who plays for the Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League, has six international goals.
“I think it’s a privilege to be able to compete against such high-level players every day in camp and if it makes it harder to get a starting spot, that’s good for everybody,” Smith said. “It’s only making us better and we trust every single player we have on this roster to go out and play and perform.”
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.
“Probably the best goalscoring opportunity you can have as a team, but that’s part of the game,” coach Vlatko Andonovski said. “Give credit to the goalkeeper, I thought she did a great job. I mean, two good saves. We’re definitely gonna work on that a little bit more. We still believe that both Lindsey and Rose are very good penalty-kick takers.”
Ashley Hatch started at forward, flanked by
Mallory Pugh and Smith. Hatch replaced Catarina Macario, who tore an
ACL while playing for her club team, Lyon, in
France. Veterans Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan started on the bench.
Morgan replaced Hatch at the half and Rapinoe entered the game to loud cheers with about 15 minutes to go.
Colombia is hoping to secure one of CONMEBOL’s spots in the 2023 World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Ranked No. 28 in the world, Colombia missed out on the 2019 World Cup.
ETC.
College volleyball: Florida Atlantic beach volleyball coach Capri Grotowski died after a nearly decade-long battle with breast cancer on Saturday, the university said. She was 38.
She spent eight years coaching at FAU, often while dealing with treatments and the effects of her illness. This past season was the most successful of her career with the Owls, with her team going 23-12, getting an NCAA tournament win and Grotowski being named Conference USA’s coach of the year.
“The FAU family has suffered a terrible loss with the passing of Coach Grotowski,” university president John Kelly said. “We are grateful for Capri’s service to the university and all the lives she influenced throughout her
life and career.”
Grotowski is survived by husband Steve — who competed in beach volleyball at the 2012 London Olympics for his native Great Britain — and their two children.
Track and field: Noah Lyles pulled in front of teenage sensation Erriyon Knighton at the finish to win the 200 meters at the U.S. track and field championships at Eugene, Oregon.
“I do what it takes to win,” proclaimed Lyles, who cheekily pointed to Knighton, 18, as he hit the tape in 19.67 seconds.
Lyles won the 200 at
the 2019 world championships in Doha and the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics last summer. He’ll be challenged again by Knighton in the worlds next month in Eugene.
Temperatures in the mid-90s greeted athletes for the final day of the competition at Hayward Field. Events moved to earlier in the day because of the heat.
The top three finishers
in each event will be on the U.S. team for the world championships, given they have met the required performance standard.
Olympic gold medalist
Athing Mu was challenged the last 100 meters by Ajee Wilson, but pushed to finish first in the 800 in 1:57.16.
Sha’Carri Richardson did not qualify for Sunday’s 200 final, her only remaining chance to make the U.S. team for the worlds. Her time in the semifinal, 22.47 seconds, put her out of contention. She did not comment to reporters afterward.
Richardson also failed to make the field for Friday’s 100 meter final, which was won by Melissa Jefferson of Coastal Carolina. Richardson’s failure to qualify for the finals in either race was something of a surprise, given her form at recent meets.
Abby Steiner of Kentucky, who set a college record in the 200 at this year’s NCAA championships, won the event in 21.77, the leading time in the world this season and a personal best.
Daniel Roberts won the 110 hurdles in 13:03. Two-time Olympian Devon Allen, the fan favorite who ran track and played football at Oregon, finished third to make the team for worlds.
Bryce Hoppel made his second straight U.S. team for worlds in the 800, finishing in 1:44.60.
Rai Benjamin won the 400 hurdles in 1:44.60, best in the world this season. Benjamin was coming off a bout with COVID-19 that drained his energy.