Group F team preview: Colombia

          If Colombia hopes to have a player break out on the world stage in James Rodriguez-esque fashion, it will be Hazleidy Rincon, right. Dolores Ochoa/AP Images
          • Monica GonzalezMay 28, 2015, 11:04 AM ET
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              ESPN analyst and sideline reporter Monica Gonzalez is a native of Dallas and played college soccer at Notre Dame before becoming founding member of the Mexican national team in 1999. She was captain of the Mexican team from 2003-07 and was named to the FIFA World All-Star team in 2007.
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          Group F: France | England | Colombia | Mexico

          Will Colombia be able to escape Group F to build upon its first Women's World Cup appearance in 2011?

          The journey

          Colombia had a successful qualifying tournament at the 2014 Copa America Femenina. Las Cafeteras were the only unbeaten team at the event, winning all four group matches before going 1-0-2 in the final stage to finish second overall. The success was a much-needed boost after a disappointing Olympic debut at the 2012 London Games, where star Yoreli Rincon was controversially benched for reportedly not being in top physical condition.

          Second chances

          If Colombia wants to win, it needs to create chances. In 2011, they were one of two teams that failed to score a goal and had just four shots from inside the attacking penalty area.

          The rep

          Colombia did not score a goal, much less win a game, in its debut at the Women's World Cup in 2011, drawing against North Korea and losing to the United States and Sweden. But the team has always possessed speed on the flanks and has fielded a few special players with the flair and skill to catch anyone off guard at any given time. A strong defense is also one of the squad's staples. With former NCAA stars Nataly Arias (Maryland) and Natalia Gaitan (Toledo) anchoring the back line and Sandra Sepulveda in net, Colombia allowed just two goals in seven games at the Copa. But many players have acknowledged that the World Cup will present a whole other level of competition compared to the Copa.

          Projected formation

          Colombia is expected to go with a 4-4-2 lineup:

          The question

          Can Colombia advance past the group stage in just its second World Cup appearance? Four years ago, Las Cafeteras finished last in its group. This time, they've been drawn with England, France and Mexico, and with four of six third-place teams advancing to the knockout stage, Mexico and Colombia have an opportunity to make history. It may come down to the first game on June 9, when Mexico and Colombia face off in Moncton, New Brunswick.

          World Cup history

          A look at how Colombia has fared in previous tournaments:

          Group-stage schedule

          Colombia's first two matches will be played at Moncton Stadium, while the third will be held at Olympic Stadium in Montreal:

          • June 9: Mexico, 4 p.m. ET
          • June 13: France, 1 p.m. ET
          • June 17: England, 4 p.m. ET

          Foudy's take

          Julie Foudy

          Colombia received a more favorable draw than it did in 2011, when it was grouped with Sweden, the United States and North Korea and finished at the bottom. Even though Colombia could possibly take a point from Mexico, I don't see it advancing. If Colombia can beat Mexico, it could possibly sneak through in that third spot.

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