The United States Women’s National Team enjoyed a stellar few months under the leadership of new manager Emma Hayes and claimed the gold medal for the first time in 12 years. The next challenge is the tenth edition of the SheBelieves Cup, a competition that the hosts have won a leading seven times. The 2025 schedule opens with a match against Colombia, a rising program that registered solid quarterfinal finishes at the recent World Cup and Olympic Games. Shell Energy Stadium – a 20,656-seat multi-purpose venue with a Platinum TE Paspalum natural grass playing surface located in the downtown of Houston, Texas – hosts the combatants.
This is the 14th all-time meeting between the two nations, with the USWNT holding a 11-0-2 advantage and triumphing in the most-recent battle (3-0) in the quarterfinal of last year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup. Ranked 21st internationally by FIFA, Colombia registered a quarterfinal appearance at the 2024 Olympics by finishing at third in Group A with a loss to France (2-3), a victory over New Zealand (2-0), and a setback against Canada (0-1) before falling to Spain in penalties (2-2 [2-4]). In the fall, Las Chicas Superpoderosas (The Powerpuff Girls) played a pair of friendlies against Brazil, taking a draw (1-1) and a defeat (1-3), and dropped a shootout decision to Argentina (1-1 [4-5]).
Ángelo Marsiglia was given the manager role after five months as an interim hire following the departure of Nelson Abadía, under whom he served as an assistant. The 39-year-old Colombian brought the benefit of a familiarity with the player pool and also competed as an amateur in domestic competitions. His hope is to reach the level of Brazil, which is no small task considering that the regional power has claimed eight out of nine Copa América titles.
Marsiglia named a 23-player roster for the SheBelieves Cup, a group that includes some of the most important names. The domestic Liga Femenina is home to six of the call-ups, while eight compete in Europe and three are on the books of National Women’s Soccer League clubs. Notable absences include Manuela Vanegas and Liced Cerna.
***
GOALKEEPERS (3): Luisa Fernanda Agudelo (Deportivo Cali), Natalia Giraldo (América de Cali), Katherine Tapia (Palmeiras)
DEFENDERS (8): Mary Álvarez (Atlético Nacional), Carolina Arias (América de Cali), Daniela Arias (Corinthians), Ángela Barón (Racing Louisville), Jorelyn Carabalí (Brighton & Hove Albion), Daniela Caracas (Espanyol), Ana María Guzmán (Utah Royals), Yirleidis Minota (Pachuca)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Sara Martínez (Atlético Nacional), Daniela Montoya (Grêmio), Marcela Restrepo (Monterrey), María Camila Reyes (Santa Fe), Leicy Santos (Washington Spirit), Catalina Usme (Galatasaray)
FORWARDS (6): Wendy Bonilla (UNAM), Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid), Ivonne Chacon (Levante UD), Manuela Paví (West Ham United), Mayra Ramírez (Chelsea), Karla Torres (Leicester City)
***
Marsiglia typically employs a 4-3-3 formation (occasionally dabbling with a 4-4-2) and relies on “possession and progression to the opponent’s goal with control of the ball and the game itself.” However, there are moments of quick-strike attacking and direct play that utilize “the work-rate of the forward(s) to great effect.” Total Football Analysis notes that “the greatest hindrance to the build-up” is “the technical ability of individual players,” with “unreliability of key possessions causing real problems” and inviting “serious pressure.” The defense features both pressing high up the field and a compact structure in deeper areas that can be difficult to break down.
With a few of the former options appearing to have drifted away from the program, Katherine “Kathe” Tapia has the inside track on the number-one role for the foreseeable future. The 32-year-old Palmeiras goalkeeper and former police officer was a “key piece” in claiming the Campeonato Paulista state championship with a long history as a penalty stopper while displaying “calmness and conviction.” Standing at five-foot-ten, she boasts above-average athleticism and gets to ground quickly, easily shifting into full extensions in order to make saves. However, there is the occasional spill or dangerous rebound, which could become problematic in crowded situations.
Jorelyn Carabalí has been a “clear-cut success” for Brighton & Hove Albion since moving over from Atlético Mineiro, boasting a complete profile that includes excellent tackling, solid passing, and a steady array of ball wins. She pushes high up the field in order to reclaim possession, uses her galloping stride to track down opponents, and seeks to jump-start the counter-attack with long-range distribution while also boasting a stunning free kick. Corinthians’ Daniela Arias had a fantastic debut campaign in the Campeonato Brasileiro, being named the league’s best defender and winning a treble due to her “skill on the field, tactical vision, and goal-scoring ability.” The 30-year-old centre-back is a “key part” when working out of the back, serving as “a leader and organizer” and “making vital interventions,” adding toughness, “reading the play ahead of those in her vicinity, and putting her body on the line to limit the damage that the attackers [can] do.” Younger option Ángela Barón could also begin to take a greater role with the program, as the Racing Louisville defender is praised for her “ability and vision on the ball” when “building out” in a pass-heavy system. Her speed and awareness are essential in emergency situations, putting out fires with a history of goal-line stops and acting as a safety valve to aid teammates who are under pressure.
Carolina Arias continues to take a key role with the squad and can deploy on the other side of the formation, being “blessed with a skillful right foot” and a penchant to roam. The 34-year-old América de Cali fullback can be very strong in the one-on-one, favoring simple cut-backs, and picks out teammates with long passes, which can be particularly useful on set pieces. Espanyol’s Daniela Caracas sidesteps pressure with ease, slots into multiple positions, and presses forward before hitting an accurate cross into the box. She is strong in duels and shuts down wingers on the outside of the formation with good anticipation and an understanding of when to slide into passing lanes.
The captain Daniela Montoya “pulls the strings in the midfield,” employing a two-way game and a “varied repertoire” that features a growing offensive presence through long-distance shooting. Her best work is done when absorbing contact and working out of pressure, dodging and darting around tackles in order to hit the correct pass to a cutting winger or checking striker. Monterrey’s Marcela Restrepo is praised for her “intelligence, patience, and strategy” with a measure of creativity in the final third and physical battles when matching with opponents. The 29-year-old generalist can line up in a variety of roles, including on the wing, boasting an increasing scoring profile that features headers and well-timed volleys. After moving from Atlético Madrid to the Washington Spirit, Leicy Santos hit the ground running in the NWSL with two goals and an assist in ten appearances, demonstrating her combination of “technical and tactical ability” along with a productive nature. She can serve as a facilitator and distributor with driving progression and incisive passing but does her best work when buzzing around the box as an additional attacker. There is also Catalina Usme, who converted eight international goals in 2024 and is “key in breaking down the deep blocks through her incredible passing,” described by Total Football Analysis as “intelligent” and “always on the move.” The multi-faceted veteran can find pockets of space with deft touches that offset opponents and pounce on loose balls in the box, making her an essential presence in the squad.
Real Madrid’s Linda Caicedo continues her unstoppable journey to world-class status, with a growing barrage of goals and assists, facilitated by devastating creativity on the ball and a willingness to take on entire teams with her dribbling runs. When not “managing the tempo of the game,” the 19-year-old attacker will line up as an inverted winger in order to drive centrally, drifting into the space that is opened up by her teammates. Manuela Paví will be relied upon to take a larger responsibility, having landed at West Ham after winning two domestic titles with Deportivo Cali but only scoring twice thus far for her new club. She is an “exciting, energetic forward who has the ability to unlock defenses from anywhere across the front line,” using her low center of gravity to fight through contact and break into dangerous areas.
“Strong and powerful with a keen eye for goal,” Mayra Ramírez is a dynamic option who “can play anywhere across the front line” due to her unique combination of speed and strength. The 25-year-old Chelsea attacker has seven goals across all competitions this season but is most known for her “relentless work” that makes her a nightmare for opposing defenders, whether occupying a physical target position or a more creative role. Measuring at five-foot-ten, she will drop deep in order to receive possession and takes little issue with carrying the ball into the final third, shouldering off players every step of the way. Her finishes come from a variety of sources, whether running onto passes in the box, opening up space with crafty dribbling, or rising to meet headers from early crosses.
While Colombia has grown and improved as a program, there is still a gap in quality when compared to the USWNT, which is perhaps only getting wider in the short term. Hayes is likely to have her squad firing on all cylinders with the attacking group booming and the back line continuing to provide a firm backbone to the formation. Expect the SheBelieves Cup to open with a convincing victory as the stronger opponents await in the second and third fixtures.
The match is scheduled for Thursday, February 20th at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, 5:00 p.m. Pacific. Viewing options include TBS, Universo, Max, Peacock, and FUBO TV (free trial).
Source link
Add Comment