The goals from Cristian Zapata and James Rodriguez propped Colombia to a scintillating 2-0 win over United States here.
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Jurgens Kingsman who is the coach of U.S. team was disappointed with his boys and was not able to take revenge from Colombia, for the defeat in 1994 world cup in the US.
The 23-year-old said he could not support Team USA until the country improved its approach to training young players, putting less emphasis on winning and more on the fundamentals of the game. The support system has waned since the 2014 World Cup as Klinsmann ushered in a new group of players that will be expected to help the United States qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
US coach Jurgen Klinsmann spoke about the importance of a strong showing in this special edition 100th anniversary Copa to create buzz for a potential 2026 World Cup bid. This is the moment coaches, players and officials envisioned decades ago when the world’s game was summarily rejected by the American sports palate. Bradley’s 78% passing efficiency wasn’t remotely good enough, and was a major reason why the US midfield was so ineffective.
However, Colombia – a quarterfinalist at last year’s tournament – will be sweating on the fitness of Rodriguez, who was forced off the field just past the hour-mark due to a shoulder injury, after landing awkwardly.
Alejandro Bedoya 5/10 – Largely anonymous for the majority of the match, constantly getting pulled wide and leaving the middle of the pitch free for Colombia to control.
Incredibly, it’s been 22 years since the US shocked Colombia at the Rose Bowl in the World Cup. The United States, although conceding two goals, was largely effective in stopping Colombia’s vaunted attack, not giving up any goals in open play.
The Americans find themselves in unfamiliar territory. Costa Rica takes on Paraguay at 5 p.m.
“Clint was a warrior out there giving everything he had”, Klinsmann said. It’s doubtful that Klinsmann gets fired before the next World Cup in 2018, however if the USMNT fail to get out of the group it’s not out of the question. The back line and goalkeeper Brad Guzan can head into the game Tuesday in Chicago against regional rival Costa Rica with confidence after their performance.
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The US made their first changes in the 66th minute when Christian Pulisic was brought in for Bobby Wood and Jermaine Jones made way for Darlington Nagbe. We have two more opportunities to win out. For the Americans, meanwhile, it was the worst-possible start because it left them chasing a goal against one of the best counterattacking teams in the world. That Colombia, while hard to play against, was not at its best. “We are doing things well”. The only United States of America chance of note was a 36th-minute run and shot from Clint Dempsey, whose curling effort whistled just past Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina’s upright.
