While the Columbus Crew was on the road facing the Philadelphia Union, the United States Women’s National Team played hosts at Lower.com Field. After a top Asian side backed out of the matchup in Columbus, Uzbekistan filled the competitive void. In a match that was sometimes sunny, sometimes snowing and cold throughout, the United States earned a 9-1, win in a match filled with firsts.
Initially, the game defied what supporters expected on the competitive side as Uzbekistan didn’t park in the team’s defensive penalty area. Instead, the Asian side pressed the United States and, for the first 25 minutes, made defensive stops and went on multiple runs into the offensive half of the field.