Alyssa Thompson scores as the U.S. wins the SheBelieves Cup; Tobin Heath honored in retirement ceremony.
- orfeldgus
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Written by: Sydney Cristall
Where it all started: (Harrison, N.J.)
Alyssa Thompson, 21-year-old forward for Chelsea F.C., scored in the 82nd minute to lift the United States to a 1–0 victory over Colombia on Saturday afternoon, clinching the 2026 SheBelieves Cup title in front of 22,385 fans at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
The victory capped a tournament that featured the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Colombia competing across three U.S. venues: Nashville, TN, Columbus, OH, and Harrison, NJ. As well, it also served as a celebration of U.S. soccer legend Tobin Heath, who was honored with a pregame retirement ceremony.
The SheBelieves Cup, founded in 2016 and hosted annually by the U.S. Soccer Federation, brings together the top international teams in a round-robin style tournament early in the international calendar. Inspired by the U.S. Women’s National Team, SheBelieves is a movement that encourages young women and girls to reach their dreams, athletic or otherwise. The campaign was originally launched in the run-up to the 2015 Women’s World Cup and has evolved into a special bond between U.S. Soccer and its fans, taking a powerful message of empowerment and that of believing in yourself into communities across the nation.
USA vs Colombia
The United States fielded a strong lineup featuring Rose Lavelle, Alex Sentnor, and Alyssa Thompson on attack, with Lily Yohannes and Sam Coffey controlling the midfield and Naomi Girma anchoring the defense.
Colombia matched the U.S. in intensity early, drawing loud support from their fans and forcing the U.S. into a tightly contested defensive battle in the first half. Despite several attacking runs from Rodman and Lavelle, the match remained scoreless at halftime.
Head coach Emma Hayes made several second-half adjustments, bringing on Tara Rudd, Olivia Moultrie, Lindsey Heaps, Jaedyn Shaw, and Emma Sears to add an extra edge to the attacking energy.
The breakthrough came in the 82nd minute when Thompson found space in the penalty area and finished past the Colombian goalkeeper, securing the tournament title for the United States. The victory also marked another milestone for defender Emily Sonnett, who became the first player to win eight SheBelieves Cup titles.
“I’ve been working on my decision-making in the final third, knowing when to shoot and when to pass,” Thompson said. “In that moment, I felt like it was the right decision to shoot. We knew it was going to be a physical game, so it was about staying confident and fighting until the end.”
After the match, Thompson also reflected on the influence of U.S. veterans Tobin Heath and Christen Press, who were in attendance for Heath’s ceremony.
“Christen and Tobin have helped me so much in my career and my journey,” Thompson said. “Being able to play with Christen at Angel City has shaped me a lot, and Tobin has been a really good mentor for me. After I scored, I looked up at them because I was just so happy. They’ve really helped give me confidence.”
Canada vs Argentina
Earlier in the day, Canada defeated Argentina in a penalty shootout after a scoreless draw. Argentina controlled much of the first half, forcing several key saves from goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, while Canada struggled to convert on set pieces. Defender Brooklyn Courtnall earned her first international start after making her debut earlier in the week against Colombia, joining Canada’s back line as the team held Argentina scoreless through regulation.
The match was physical throughout, but Canada made adjustments at halftime and showed a better connection in the second half. Captain Jessie Fleming controlled the midfield while Jordyn Huitema and Kaylee Hunter provided width in attack. Canada controlled much of the play and created several chances, but struggled to break into the final third to convert opportunities. Julia Grosso entered in the second half and made a strong defensive impact, including a key one-on-one stop to halt an Argentine attack.
The victory capped a competitive tournament for Canada, as the team continues to build toward the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup under head coach Casey Stoney.
Tobin Heath's retirement ceremony
Before kickoff, the afternoon’s focus turned to honoring one of the most influential players in U.S. women’s soccer history, (you guessed it), Tobin Heath!
Heath, a New Jersey native, was celebrated in a pregame retirement ceremony recognizing a career that included two FIFA Women’s World Cup titles and two Olympic gold medals with the United States. Former U.S. stars, including Christen Press, Heather O’Reilly, Megan Rapinoe, Kelley O’Hara, Crystal Dunn, Meghan Klingenberg, Merritt Mathias, and Ali Krieger, were in attendance to celebrate Heath’s legacy.
She reflected on the significance of returning to the state where her soccer journey began.
“It’s super special to be back where it all started for me in New Jersey,” Heath said. “This place means so much to me in terms of putting me on the trajectory to represent my country. I feel a lot of gratitude for the people who helped me along the way.”
Heath also emphasized the importance of honoring the history of women’s soccer and recognizing the generations of players who helped grow the sport.
“It’s important that we continue to celebrate and tell the history of women’s sports,” Heath said. “The generations before us built the foundation for where the game is today.”
A look into the future
The 2026 SheBelieves Cup highlighted a transitional moment for the United States, with emerging players such as Alyssa Thompson, Ally Sentnor, who scored the game-winner against Canada earlier in the tournament, Emma Sears, Olivia Moultrie, and Jaedyn Shaw making their mark as the next generation of U.S. talent while legends like Tobin Heath closed out historic careers.
The National Women’s Soccer League season begins Friday, March 13. Canada’s Northern Super League opens its second season on April 24, and European club competitions, including the Women’s Super League and UEFA Women’s Champions League, will resume after the international break. The tournament served as an early marker for teams building toward the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Edited by: Olivia Feldgus
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