The U.S. women’s national team got the job done Tuesday with a 2-0 win over Colombia, and veteran defender Kelley O’Hara put the victory on ice.
Sofia Huerta forced an own goal off Colombia in the 23rd minute to put the USWNT ahead in Provo, Utah. That 1-0 advantage stayed through the 76th minute, when a lightning delay forced the teams into their locker rooms.
Once play resumed, O’Hara wasted no time, getting on the board in the 77th minute.
The goal was the third of her USWNT career and her first international goal since 2016.
.@kelleymohara's first #USWNT goal since 2016!!! 😱 pic.twitter.com/QgtspwcNQ8
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) June 29, 2022
With the win, the USWNT extended its unbeaten streak to 69 straight games on home soil, but now the team will head to Mexico for the Concacaf W Championship. That tournament will determine four automatic berths to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, as well as one berth to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who returned to the starting lineup for her 81st international cap, came up big for the USWNT in the final tune-up before Mexico. She made two key saves to keep the team on top.
The forced own goal by Huerta marks the fifth this year by the team, the most in a calendar year in program history for the USWNT.