Cameron reacted and lost focus for just an instant.
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The Colombians named a strong line-up which included the likes of James Rodriguez, Juan Cuadrado and Carlos Bacca.
It began frighteningly bad and then got worse for the United States and coach Jurgen Klinsmann in an unartistic 2-0 defeat in front of 67,439 soccer disciples at Levi’s Stadium.
Colombia defeated the United States 2-0 in the opening game of the Copa America 2016.
Colombia dictated most of the opening minutes, but the usa held their own, keeping the attack very manageable. “Obviously they, on the night, were ruthless in terms of their ability to know what the game was going to need, and again, close space and make things very hard and take chances when they came”.
It needed so much more from the United States, which fell into a deep hole in a 24-day event during which it had hoped to showcase the country’s rise in the futbol world. Not against this worthy opponent.
USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann defended his team’s effort, telling reporters, “I was absolutely okay with the team performance”. “So the message overall is positive to the players even if we’re disappointed we didn’t get any points”. Zapata played a key role in the clean sheet, making two important tackles in the first half to prevent goal-scoring opportunities. The second half wasn’t much better, save for a pair of great chances by Clint Dempsey, the only American who really looked up for the challenge on Friday.
The loss will make it challenging for the U.S.to progress in their competitive group which also features Paraguay and Costa Rica. The 4-3-2-1 formation by Los Cafeteros was impenetrable by the U.S.’s timid attacking squad.
Those were the Americans’ only two shots on goal out of 12 total attempts in the game. (Thanks ambiguous soccer rule book wording!) But on Saturday night, with the referee that was calling this match, it was a penalty.
Rodriguez came down hard on his left shoulder in the second half after tripping over Bradley, and Rodriguez exited in the 73rd minute.
Klinsmann has four days to make adjustments as the USA next plays Tuesday in Chicago against Costa Rica, a 2014 World Cup quarterfinalist like Colombia.
With the Copa America being staged outside of South America for the first time, there was plenty of hype surrounding the USA team, but the host nation was left silenced as captain James Rodriguez and Cristian Zapata inspired Colombia in the Group A opener at Levi’s Stadium.
In the midfield, Jermaine Jones provided an extra layer of defensive steel alongside Michael Bradley.
Goalkeeper David Ospina frustrated the midfielder further in the 63rd minute with a wonderful save from a free kick destined for the top corner.
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José Pekerman’s side, quarterfinalists at the last World Cup, was sure enough of its ability to handle an attack led by 33-year-old Dempsey. Yes, the USA did create chances, led by an inspired Dempsey, but he was the only American player who ever really troubled Colombia’s defense.
