Amidst their attempts to put last year's historically disappointing Women's World Cup struggles behind them, the United States women have seemingly instead transported themselves right back to that difficult time.
Last summer, the U.S. fell flat at the end of the group stage, leading to a less-than-desirable second-place finish and a tougher than anticipated matchup against Sweden in the Round of 16, which ultimately proved fatal.
After looking improved in this year's W Gold Cup, they repeated that exact mistake, falling flat in an embarrassing 2-0 defeat to Mexico in the group finale that left them, once again, second in the standings, affording not a meeting with Costa Rica or Paraguay in the quarterfinals, but instead a strong Colombia side.
Colombia, ranked 26th in the world, sport generational talent and pushed eventual finalists England to the brink in the Women's World Cup knockout stage last summer, with teenage sensation Linda Caicedo leading the attack. It's a perilous endeavor for the USWNT, and they know a likely date with Canada looms in the semifinals if they are to prevail here.
LIVE BLOG: Follow live with updates & highlights as USWNT takes on Colombia
USA vs Colombia live stream, TV channel
The English-language rights to the inaugural CONCACAF W Gold Cup are owned exclusively by CBS Sports, who have placed the entirety of the competition on streaming service Paramount+, which features a free trial for new users.
A televised Spanish-language broadcast of this USWNT match against Colombia is also available on ESPN Deportes, which can be streamed on Fubo or via ESPN's platforms ESPN+ and WatchESPN.
MORE: Recap the USWNT's 2-0 defeat to Mexico which harkened back to World Cup struggles
What time is USA vs Colombia kickoff?
This W Gold Cup quarterfinal match kicks off at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday, March 3 at 5:15 p.m. local time in Carson, CA.
Here's how that time translates across all of the time zones in the United States:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Sun, Mar. 3 | 8:15 p.m. |
| Central Time | Sun, Mar. 3 | 7:15 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Sun, Mar. 3 | 6:15 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Sun, Mar. 3 | 5:15 p.m. |
| Alaska ST | Sun, Mar. 3 | 4:15 p.m. |
| Hawaii ST | Sun, Mar. 3 | 3:15 p.m. |
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USA vs Colombia lineups & team news
There's nowhere for the USWNT to hide now as the W Gold Cup moves into single-elimination play, but against a high-quality opponent, Twila Kilgore has gone with a truly head-scratching lineup. Defensive leader Naomi Girma step back in, a positive for fans as Kilgore was publicly critical of the back line after the defeat to Mexico.
However, Emily Sonnett, who has been the only strong performer at the No. 6 position since the retirement of Julie Ertz, remains on the bench for underperformer Sam Coffey, and Korbin Albert is brought in with Crystal Dunn out. Jenna Nighswonger and Tierna Davidson are both introduced alongside Girma, making this likely a three-CB system.
Up front, Alex Morgan, who was only added to the roster after a ACL tear for Mia Fishel, retains her starting spot, but Sophia Smith does not, replaced by young Jaedyn Shaw. Also missing is Rose Lavelle, with Korbin Albert installed in the middle. Lot of surprises from Kilgore, who will have to answer for this shuffling if things go belly-up.
USA starting lineup (4-3-3): Naeher (GK) — Girma, Nighswonger, Davidson — Fox, Horan, Coffey, Albert, Shaw — Rodman, Morgan.
The presence of world-class 19-year-old Real Madrid star Linda Caicedo will strike fear into any opposing back line no matter their global stature. She scored in two of Colombia's three group stage games, with only Brazil managing to hold her silent. Caicedo looks to combine with veteran striker Catalina Usme who at 34 years old sports an incredible 72 international goals in 93 caps, and fresh off a late-career move to Mexican side Pachuca this offseason, her first time ever playing club ball abroad.
The 20-year-old goalkeeper Natalia Giraldo has seemingly taken over in net from veteran Sandra Sepulveda, having earned her first three international caps in the three group stage games, conceding just a single goal in the process.
There are two US-based players in the Colombian squad, with backup forward Elexa Bahr having recently joined NWSL side Racing Louisville this past offseason, and young defender Ilana Izquierdo gearing up to take part in her senior season with the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Colombia starting lineup (4-3-3): Giraldo (GK) — C. Arias, Carabali, D. Arias, Vanegas — Bedoya, Montoya, Izquierdo — Pavi, Usme, Caicedo.
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