HARRISON, N.J. — The U.S. women’s national team lifted its first trophy of 2026.
Alyssa Thompson’s second-half strike proved to be the difference as Emma Hayes’ squad edged Colombia 1-0 at Sports Illustrated Stadium to win the SheBelieves Cup. The Americans also extended their shutout streak to 805 minutes, dating back to Fall 2025.
“I thought in the first half we were sluggish so everything we did was just a step off,” Hayes said postmatch. “I thought we were too slow to press the ball and our play in general was average. I think having this test was a good moment for us.
“We coached some different things in the second half and then we went to the bench and that is something I’ve been saying since I’ve been here that we need to develop talent to be ready to come in and win games,” Hayes added. “Sometimes you win matches in the opening 60 minutes, today we won due from the players coming off the bench.”
Colombia held its own in the first half, registering the only shot on target in the opening 45 minutes. Despite being out-possessed 66%-to-34%, Colombia made things difficult for the Americans, keeping them from delivering any point-blank scoring chances.
The USWNT’s best opportunity came in the 42nd minute as Rose Lavelle redirected a cross from Avery Patterson. Patterson drilled in a cross from the left wing before Lavelle’s redirection was gathered by Colombia’s Katherine Tapia.
Hayes made four changes in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, with Emma Sears, Olivia Molutrie, and Lindsey Heaps among the substitutions.
Colombia’s resistance was finally broken down with eight minutes to play as Thompson called her own number. The 21-year-old received a pass at the top of the Colombia box before drilling a right-footed shot off the crossbar and in.
It marked Thompson’s fourth senior international goal and her first of 2026.
USWNT goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce was rarely troubled, making one single save to preserve her second-consecutive clean sheet.
“It’s honestly probably not talked about enough,” Lindsey Heaps said about the USWNT’s shutout streak. “Credit to our goalkeepers like Phallon today. We work a lot, our defensive coach is tough on us, but she is trying to get the best out of us. I think the tactical adjustments that we make too have helped us keep the volume on our side.”
The Americans are now 5-0-0 in 2026 and unbeaten in their last nine matches overall. Their last defeat came on October 23, 2025 against Portugal.
Up next for the USWNT is a trio of home friendlies against Japan this April.
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