MANAUS, Brazil (AP) – Megan Rapinoe’s return is coming at just the right time for the United States.
The U.S. women have advanced to the Olympic quarterfinals; the three-time defending champions will play Sweden on Friday in Brasilia.
Rapinoe, who had major surgery on her right knee last December, made her first start of the year on Tuesday night against Colombia in Manaus, one of several cities across Brazil that are hosting the soccer tournament.
The wily winger lasted 33 minutes in the heat and humidity of the Amazon before she was subbed out for 18-year-old Mallory Pugh. Catalina Usme scored a pair of goals, including the last-minute equalizer to pull the Colombians into a 2-2 draw.
“For Megan, it was just important – she’s ahead of schedule – to see her out there, let her run around a little bit,” coach Jill Ellis said. “I was pleased. I thought she did great. There’s no residual from the injury. She’s out there playing and I thought she did well.