Alyssa Thompson’s decisive strike in the 82nd minute secured a 1-0 victory for the United States over Colombia on Saturday, earning the USWNT the SheBelieves Cup title. The dramatic winner highlighted Thompson’s growing influence for both club and country, while the U.S. team continued its remarkable defensive run, recording its eighth consecutive shutout.
Dominant Defensive Performance
The United States has now gone 805 minutes without conceding a goal, a streak that dates back to a 3-1 win over Portugal in October. Saturday’s clean sheet marked the eighth in a row for the team and emphasized the USWNT’s defensive solidity. With this victory, the United States claimed its eighth overall SheBelieves Cup title in the tournament’s 11-year history, showcasing a consistent blend of tactical discipline and experience.
Earlier in the day, Canada defeated Argentina 3-2 on penalties following a scoreless draw, rounding out an exciting day at the Sports Illustrated Stadium. Canada ultimately finished second in the round-robin tournament, while Colombia secured third place, and Argentina ended in last place without scoring a goal.
Thompson’s Heroics and MVP Performance
The match remained scoreless until the 82nd minute when Alyssa Thompson, currently playing for Chelsea, converted a precise cross from Jaedyn Shaw into a spectacular upper-corner finish that left Colombia goalkeeper Katherine Tapia with no chance. This marked Thompson’s fourth international goal and earned her the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.
U.S. coach Emma Hayes praised Thompson’s consistency and ability to deliver under pressure: “It’s been a tremendous year for Alyssa, both for club and country. The clutch moment today is a testament to her talent and her ability to perform at a high level for 90 minutes, game after game.” Thompson modestly reflected on the goal, noting, “I wanted to get another shot on goal, so I looked at it, went off the crossbar, and in—that’s when I knew it was going in.”
Team Resilience and Tribute to Tobin Heath
Despite what Hayes described as a “sluggish” first half, the USWNT demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and depth throughout the match. Defender Naomi Girma was substituted due to calf tightness, but the team maintained its composure and tactical balance to secure the win.
Before kickoff, the United States honored former midfielder Tobin Heath, who retired last year after a career-long battle with a knee injury. Heath, a two-time Women’s World Cup champion (2015 and 2019), made 181 appearances and scored 36 goals during her 13-year national team career, leaving an enduring legacy on the squad.
A look at Alyssa Thompson’s BANGER for the @USWNT in the SheBelieves Cup 🏆
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 7, 2026
(Via @USWNT)
pic.twitter.com/zkXJSLFmro
Hayes reflected on the team’s overall performance, saying, “I think we’ve shown how to win even when we’re not at our best. We’ve demonstrated versatility, depth, and maturity. As a coach, these are qualities I value most, along with our ability to keep clean sheets and limit opponents’ chances.”
