The U.S. opened the Copa América Centenario with a mood-killing 2-0 loss to Colombia here at Levi’s Stadium on Friday. In addition to Colombia, ranked third in the world by Federation Internationale de Football Association, the field includes four other top 10 teams in Argentina (1st), Chile (5th), Brazil (7th) and Uruguay (9th).
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Zapata opened the scoring in the eighth minute after latching onto Edwin Cardona’s corner for his first worldwide goal and Rodriguez – attempting to put a hard season with Real Madrid behind him having sat out the Champions League final last month – converted a 41st-minute penalty. Colombian star James Rodriguez stepped up to the spot and coolly scored as Brad Guzan jumped in the wrong direction.
The U.S. squad, however, committed an elementary blunder in the 41st minute, when a pass from Farid Diaz struck defender DeAndre Yedlin’s right hand in the area.
His side desperately needing a goal or two, US head coach Jurgen Klinsmann brought on Darlington Nagbe and 17-year-old Christian Pulisic for Jermaine Jones and Bobby Wood, respectively, in the 66th minute. Like most South American teams, gamesmanship will come into play, and any way they can try and get a victory, if it means committing sneaky fouls or wasting time, they will try and do it.
Colombia, which lost to the United States in a stunning defeat during the 1994 World Cup, made sure the hosts didn’t enjoy another giant-killing effort. Colombia had broken the sentiments of many United States of America fans but the main reason behind the USA’s defeat is considered to be the lack of consistency from their players.
“Put your hands down”, Mexican referee Roberto Garcia shouted at the US central defender.
A disastrous first half for the host nation saw Colombia take a vice-like grip on the contest.
“You guys put the benchmark on the results”, Klinsmann said to the assembled media, “but playing these guys and the quality they have, we were absolutely even”.
The U.S. takes on Costa Rica on Tuesday, June 7th at 8:00 p.m.
Jurgen Klinsmann named a full-strength XI, with the same line-up that started the second half of last week’s 4-0 friendly win over Bolivia.
A statement said that if a player receives two yellow cards in two games during the group stages and quarter final, they will be suspended for the following game, that is the semi finals. Colombia attacked at every chance, with Carlos Bacca putting a shot of the crossbar in the 77th minute. The United States now shift their focus to Costa Rica, as the two teams face off at Soldier Field in Chicago on June 7.
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“We’re disappointed obviously, but I thought we were the better team”, Cameron said. David Ospina, goalkeeper for Colombia, was hardly troubled during the 2-0 victory, as the US front three were largely unable to create quality chances in the Colombian third. Its first serious chance came in the 60th minute when Dempsey’s header off a corner kick spun toward the right post where midfielder Sebastian Perez just kept it off the line. He elected not to start the future of US soccer, 17-year-old Christian Pulisic, who plays in Germany for Borussia Dortmund and scored in last week’s 4-0 friendly against Bolivia.
