USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann defended his team’s effort, telling reporters, “I was absolutely okay with the team performance”. Nagbe could force Klinsmann into a decision on Jermaine Jones, who was poor against Colombia.
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While Jose Pekerman will be satisfied a win in the opening game, the Colombian camp will be concerned about the retirement of Real Madrid star James Rodriguez in the 71st minute with a shoulder injury. It was and it wasn’t – the stats (except for goals, of course) were largely even, and Colombia only had one clear-cut chance from the run of play, when Carlos Bacca’s breakaway shot bounced off the post. They were hungry for a win and didn’t give any opportunity to the U.S. soccer team to make a comeback once they took a lead. “So the message overall is positive to the players even if we’re disappointed we didn’t get any points”. If not a must-win, Tuesday’s clash with Costa Rica is certainly a must not lose.
Yes, there were periods of the game at Levi’s Stadium that were relatively evenly matched, with neither team threatening and the contest largely stagnating in midfield.
Colombia, who is now ranked number three in the world, has some world-class names in its lineup, including captain James Rodriguez and Juventus Midfielder Juan Cuadrado. They also held 53% percent of the ball, but never really conjured up anything special. After a three-match round robin, the top two teams in each of the tournament’s four groups advance to the quarterfinals.
When he said he would learn much about the spirit and potential of his group, he was on point then too. “Much different than the friendlies, but we’re ready”.
Because the United States of America showed nothing of note or inspiration, and, faced with a proficient, organized and talented opponent, was ground into the turf with ruthless precision.
Dempsey was the man most likely to make something happen. We kept playing, we kept the rhythm, we kept moving forward. Instead, the 31st-ranked Americans began the biggest tournament at home since the 1994 World Cup with a dud as new FIFA President Gianni Infantino watched among the announced sellout crowd of 67,439. It’s also a chance to grow the sport at home with the biggest worldwide tournament on US soil since the 1994 World Cup.
The Americans regained their composure after the early knockdown.
Less than an hour into the game, the Colombian fans greeted their team’s rhythmic, pressure-free passing with a chorus of Olés.
The U.S defense will have its work cut out against the Colombian attack.
The visitors had every answer.
Cameron reacted and lost focus for just an instant.
– James capitalized on a DeAndre Yedlin handball in the box and converted the resulting penalty.
As we have come to expect, the U.S. showed some fight, yet without the teeth to suggest a fully-fledged comeback was likely.
The United States almost pulled within one in the 60 minute when Clint Dempsey’s close-range header was saved by Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina. Still, the American will look to remain upbeat and try to dig themselves out of the early hole they find themselves in.
And so, the U.S. and Klinsmann now have a serious headache.
If this is how the usa plans to operate for the balance of the tournament, then it will be a swift three-game run. On Friday Dempsey showed that he remains the USA team’s most risky attacking weapon, but will struggle to carry the US forward without some help.
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Both teams make a good shit at making the second round, but are in a hard group with Costa Rica, who surprised t the 2010 World Cup, and Paraguay, always a sturdy opponent. Only now he is not the only one asking them, as the doubts about his tenure’s productivity continue to mount.
