It was never a question of if the United States would score against Colombia in Monday’s second round match at the women’s World Cup. It was a question of when. The answer should have come in the 47th minute, when Alex Morgan was taken down by Colombia’s goalkeeper and awarded a penalty kick. Instead, Abby Wambach provided a poetic metaphor for everything that has ailed the U.S. throughout this World Cup run.
Presented with shining opportunity to go up 1-0, Wambach just needed to convert her kick from the spot and the U.S. could begin setting their sights on China in the quarterfinals.