Key events
And here’s the report on what was an awful day at the office for the Matildas, thumped 4-0 by Japan.
If you need getting up to speed, here’s The Guardian’s report on the USWNT’s 2-0 win over Colombia last week.
Japan’s red hot form has continued in today’s earlier fixture, putting up another four-spot as they downed Colombia 4-1 thanks to goals from Momoko Tanikawa, Mina Tanaka (who now has two braces in two games), and Maika Hamano.
Nadeshiko Japan are one of several powerhouse nations that have undergone a period of generational renewal in recent years but in just the second-game of the Nils Nielsen-era, the 2011 Women’s World Cup champions look like they’re well and truly surging upward.
Getting in behind the Japanese defence, Colombian talisman Linda Caicedo gave her side their first goal of the tournament just before halftime.
How long has it been since the USWNT made eleven changes to their side between games? Smooth by Carlos Santana, featuring Rob Thomas was top of the Billboard charts the last time it happened, while The Talented Mr. Ripley had supplanted The Green Mile atop the box office.
USWNT XI
Starting XI: Mandy McGlynn, Emily Sams, Korbin Albert, Lynn Biyendolo, Alyssa Thompson, Jaedyn Shaw, Tierna Davidson (C), Emma Sears, Gisele Thompson, Claire Hutton, Crystal Dunn.
Subs: McKeown, Nighswonger, Sentor, Heaps, Yohannes, Sonnet, Coffey, Macario,…
