The U.S. Women's National Team surged into the quarterfinals with a 2-0 win over ten-woman Colombia in 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup action Monday. Thorns FC forward Alex Morgan put the USWNT on top in the 53rd minute when she rifled a shot on frame near post off the goalkeeper and in.
Thorns FC midfielder Allie Long had taken over the @ThornsFC Twitter account to provide online commentary during the match. She was notably excited for her teammate's goal:
Earlier in the match, Colombia was forced to ten players when their goalkeeper Catalina Perez tackled Morgan on a break to goal. Perez was given a straight red card for a denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity and the match referee awarded the U.S. a penalty kick. U.S. captain Abby Wambach missed the attempt wide but Morgan was able to pick up her teammates up moments later.
The Americans were given another penalty kick in the 66th minute after Megan Rapinoe was pulled down in the box and midfielder Carly Lloyd hammered it home for a 2-0 lead.
Thorns FC midfielder Tobin Heath played a spirited and active full 90 for the USWNT as well. The U.S. next play China on June 26 in a rematch of the famous 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup final in which the U.S. prevailed in a dramatic penalty kick victory.
Earlier in the day, fellow Thorns teammate Jodie Taylor came on in the 63rd minute and delivered the game-winning assist as the Three Lionesses came from behind to defeat Norway 2-1.
Taylor, who injected a shot of incisive offensive flair into the English attack, did the dirty work the game-winning strike. Working the far corner before cutting back towards goal, she led a nifty 1-2 with Jill Scott before pushing the ball to Lucy Bronze at the edge of the area. Bronze unleashed a thunderbolt of a shot into the upper 90 and England held on for their first-ever knockout round win in a Women's World Cup.
Taylor and England next take on Thorns FC teammates Christine Sinclair, Kaylyn Kyle and Rhian Wilkinson with host country Canada in the quarterfinals on June 27.
