USA Falls To Colombia 2-0 In Copa America Centenario Opener

The US Men’s National Soccer Team suffered a crushing 2-0 loss to Colombia in the opening game of the Copa America Centenario tournament in Santa Clara on Friday.

USA Falls To Colombia 2-0 In Copa America Centenario Opener

“Obviously we got punished for two set pieces in the first half, and then against such a quality team it’s very difficult if you don’t score the one goal to get back into the game,” US head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said afterwards. “We didn’t give them anything. When you open up towards the end you risk a counter here and there, which is their strength. But overall, I’m very pleased with the performance.”

Colombia is ranked as the third-best team in the world by FIFA.

Klinsmann decided not to start 17-year-old Borussia Dortmund forward Christian Pulisic, who became the team’s youngest-ever scorer in the modern era against Bolivia just last week. Instead, he chose the 4-3-3 lineup that performed so well in the second-half of the 4-0 victory over Bolivia, with Clint Dempsey, supported by Bobby Wood and Gyasi Zardes up front, dropping back deep when necessary. Brad Guzan started in goal, while DeAndre Yedlin, John Brooks, Geoff Cameron and Fabian Johnson started as defenders.

This was the first time the US hosted a major soccer tournament since the World Cup in 1994. The US defeated Colombia 2-1 in that tournament, thanks in part to an infamous own goal by Andres Escobar. 

However, Colombia was the team who got off to a strong start on Friday. Just eight minutes in, Edwin Cardona fired a corner kick to the box, and Cristian Zapata sent a low shot past Guzan to give Colombia a 1-0 lead. It was Cameron who had lost Zapata in the crowd. “I’m a little frustrated in that,” Cameron said. “I’ll take responsibility. I know I could have done better.”

It wasn’t until the 15th minute mark that the US had their first noteworthy attack: a free kick from Dempsey 35 yards out cannoned into the wall.

Cardona’s skill in particular caused the hosts problems: in the 20th minute he flicked the ball over his own head before forcing Guzan into a good save, low down to the keeper’s left.

A penalty was called for Colombia in the 40th minute, after a cross into the box from Farid Diaz struck Yedlin’s hand. Yedlin had turned his back to the ball and raised his arm.  James Rodriguez stepped up and sent the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-0.

“That penalty decision was a major point in this game,” said Klinsamann. “But it is what it is – you cannot change it any more.” The US had actually had 61% of the possession in the first half, but was unable to capitalize on this, and failed to register a single shot on target.

Colombia thought they had a penalty to start the second half: once again it was Cardona who caused problems for the US defence. His rifled shot was too much for Guzan, who spilled the ball at the feet of Bacca. The Colombian was felled by Cameron as his team-mates shouted for a spot-kick, but this time the referee ruled in favor of the hosts.

The US finally got their first shot on target in the 59th minute, when Dempsey rose to meet a corner and his header was scrambled off the line. Minutes later the same player’s free-kick forced David Ospina into a good save.

The US will next face Costa Rica in Chicago on Tuesday night, while Colombia will play Paraguay in Pasadena, also on Tuesday.

PHOTO: SANTA CLARA, CA – JUNE 03: Edwin Cardona #8 of Colombia tries to dribble around Jermaine Jones #13 of United States during the 2016 Copa America Centenario Group match between the United States and Colombia at Levi’s Stadium on June 3, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)