EDMONTON, Alberta — Never mind the infamous punch and the trash talk: The U.S. women’s team says the only motivation it needs for defeating Colombia is the opportunity to move on at the Women’s World Cup.
When the teams met nearly three years ago in the London Olympics, Colombia striker Lady Andrade sucker-punched U.S. star Abby Wambach in the eye, drawing a two-match suspension.
Then in advance of Monday’s game against the United States in the round of 16 at the Women’s World Cup, Andrade made provocative statements about the Americans to a reporter.
U.S. striker Alex Morgan wasn’t taking the bait.
“Yes, we’ve seen what Lady said,” Morgan said. “We’ve always respected them. We want to let our actions speak on the field.”