Carlos Bacca’s 31st-minute strike was the difference.
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The U.S. performed better overall than it did in the 4-0 loss to Argentina, but the Colombian goal was eerily similar to the first one scored by the Argentines. The sides waited more than two hours to start the second half, and, seeking to recover a two-goal deficit, Colombia had a strong penalty appeal rejected then Carlos Sanchez harshly sent off.
Jurgen Klinsmann made six changes in the wake of the 4-0 drubbing to Argentina, a couple enforced as John Brooks and Fabian Johnson succumbed to injuries with Matt Besler and Orozco their replacements.
For a coach who constantly wants his players to “go for it”, there was precious little “going for it” when it came to his personnel decisions during the Copa América.
U.S. vs Colombia Live Score COPA America 2016 Live Streaming COL v USMNT Match Preview Prediction 26th June: We have reached the finals of the Copa America Centenario with Argentina to play Chile in the second consecutive final.
Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the US national team for ESPN FC.
The hosts continued to threaten before the break, when Jones’ cross deflected off Arias and went inches wide of the post. If not for Cristian Zapata’s desperate sliding block, the USA would have jumped out to an early lead over the South Americans.
As soon as the second half kicked off the action was end to end.
Once again, Klinsmann’s roster decisions impacted the Americans’ chances.
In response to the latter question, not conceding an early goal, not facing Lionel Messi, not getting the tactics wrong and seeing important cogs return from suspension certainly helped.
Colombia scored after Juan Cuadrado, from along a flank, cut the ball back to James Rodriguez, just outside the penalty area. The Real Madrid star immediately turned nothing into something, floating a pass to a streaking Santiago Arias, who headed the ball past Howard and toward the far corner. Colombia finally found a breakthrough in the 31st; James Rodriguez chipped in a attractive pass over the US defense, and Carlos Bacca got the final touch to put his team up 1-0.
The U.S. countered quickly, and a minute later Bobby Wood fired a shot off of the post. The ball ricocheted around the box, from Jermaine Jones to Bobby Wood and then finally to Alejandro Bedoya. But none of the Yanks managed to pounce on the ball and claim glory. Klinsmann has just under a year before hard qualifying games start to get new talent blended into the squad and ready to start in competitive games. These runs helped to create vital space for Dempsey and other US attackers.
While possession was relatively even, Colombia was clearly the better of the two teams with two shots on target compared to zero for USMNT.
Clint Dempsey tested David Ospina, as he did in the first meeting, off a great free kick in the 51st minute.
With the US pressing forward and Colombia eager to pounce on the counterattack, the game began to open up.
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The match ended on a sour note, as both Orozco and Arias were given back-to-back red cards.
