CHESTER, Pa. -- Christen Press opened scoring and Julie Johnston added two more, as the United States Women's National Team took down the Colombia Women's National Football Team, 3-0, in the second half of a back-to-back friendly series on Sunday afternoon at Talen Energy Stadium.
"Colombia is very good,"Johnston said. "I think toward the end of both halves, they sat back, which allowed us to practice being patient in creating different types of buildup than what we're used to. That's really good to learn before going to the [2016 Summer] Olympics because you're going to get everything thrown at you."
It was the second victory over Colombia for the USWNT in less than week, during its tuneup tour for the Olympics. The group took down Colombia, 7-0, in the team's first meeting on April 6 in Connecticut.
The win pushes the American's 2016 record to 11-0-0, outscoring opponents 42-1 over that span.
"In terms of being in good spots, moving the ball, I think we did well," said USWNT coach Jill Ellis, whose team takes on rival Japan in a friendly on June 2, at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Colorado. "Colombia came out slightly different. They sat lower and made it harder and it was exactly what we needed. The decisions were right, but I think at times our technical execution was off."
Despite Colombia's admirable defense under fire, the visiting side could only hold out for so long. In the 26th minute, Lindsay Horan played the ball from a midfield position to Press at the top of the box. Press was able to beat goalkeeper Catalina Perez to the ball and get a touch on the first bounce, popping the shot over Perez for the 1-0 USWNT lead.
The hosts, without injured midfielder Morgan Brian and forward Alex Morgan, doubled their lead In the 42nd minute, when a Tobin Heath free kick was poached out of the air by a streaking Johnston, who one-hit the ball over Perez and in for the 2-0 advantage.
"At the end of the day, it's all Tobin,"said Johnston, who performed in front of her fiance, Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz and other family. "Tobin played the set piece perfectly where I needed to be and I was lucky enough to be in the right spots."
The Johnston-Heath combination continued their dominance into the second half, when the defender claimed her second of the game in the 79th minute off another Heath free kick.
"Just give her a good ball, she'll do the rest," Heath said of Johnston. "It's a space that she likes to be in, and for me, I just have to play her a good ball and she'll score it. Her part is the hard part."
Heath, a natural attacking midfielder, started the match at right back and moved to left back in the second half. It was a unique and productive spot for Heath, who helped Johnston claim the first two-goal game of her career.
"Tobin has a good mind, good feet, versatility, athleticism and she's playing with so much confidence," Ellis said. "To have that flexibility is great."
USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher earned the shutout without facing a shot on goal, while Perez finished with seven saves.
"As a young girl, you always want to play the United States and leave it all on the field," Perez said. "To do it in front of my dad and coach was an absolutely great opportunity. From here, we just want to move forward and get better."
Enjoying her homecoming, Carli Lloyd, native of Delran, New Jersey, ushered in Sunday with a raucous introduction from the packed Talen Energy crowd. Yet, despite multiple chances, the captain was unable to capitalize on the hometown excitement. She was subbed out in the 73rd minute for Ali Krieger.
"I just couldn't really buy a goal today," Lloyd said. "The ball was getting caught up in my feet a few times, but overall you just keep grinding away."
