Utah Royals rising star Ally Sentnor scores banger in 1st USWNT start

The Utah Royals FC second-year starlet scored a goal in her first senior start for the U.S. women’s national team, helping the Yanks to a 2-0 win over Colombia in the #SheBelieves Cup.

One start. One goal.

Ally Sentnor is having a heckuva start to her U.S. senior international career.

The Utah Royals FC second-year starlet scored a goal in her first senior start for the U.S. women’s national team, helping the Americans to a 2-0 win over Colombia in the #SheBelieves Cup at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Thursday night.

It’s the third senior cap for the 21-year-old from Hanson, Mass., one of two Royals with the national team (alongside goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn) who was a star at the U-20 level, scoring 22 goals in 20 appearances from 2022-24.

The reigning U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year started and played 76 minutes in Thursday night’s match, doubling the U.S. lead in the 60th minute after Catarina Macario gave the United States a 1-0 halftime lead with her first international goal in nearly three years.

Five of Sentnor’s six goals scored for club or country since turning professional have come from outside of the box.

But like a grizzled veteran, Sentnor gave all credit to her teammates.

“We had a very fluid front 5-6 today,” Sentnor told TNT Sports on the post-match show, “and that’s kind of the brilliance of this team: we have great connections, and we’re able to let each other do what we do.”

Another Utah player — newly signed attacker Ana Marie Guzmán — also played Thursday night in the game broadcast by TNT Sports, entering at outside back a substitute in the 68th minute for Las Cafeteras.

Jane Campbell earned the shutout for the United States, which tie Japan atop the #SheBelieves Cup group standings after a 4-0 win over New Zealand that included a brace from Royals forward Mina Tanaka for the Nadeshiko.

“Ally’s goal, that was — whooo,” Macarino told TNT Sports after the match.

And having fun, too.

“It was just a blast being out there,” Sentnor said. “I think we created so many chances, and it was incredible to play with that front line.

“I got an opportunity and took it; I was so ecstatic when it went in.”

The United States, which out-shot Colombia 10-7 with the only three shots on goal, will face New Zealand at 3 p.m. MT Sunday in Glendale, Arizona, before wrapping up #SheBelieves Cup play against Japan next Wednesday, Feb. 26 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.