USMNT Hammered By Colombia In Copa America Tune-Up
The visitors ran their unbeaten streak to 22 games with a 5-1 victory over the U.S. at FedEx Field.
The U.S. Men’s National Team suffered their worst loss in nearly eight years as a slow start and a second-half collapse contributed to a 5-1 defeat by Colombia in the first of two warmup games before the 2024 Copa America tournament.
Things went south almost immediately when a ball into the box deflected into the path of Colombian striker Jhon Arias, who powered the ball past Matt Turner at the near post to give the visitors the lead in just the sixth minute.
Colombia continued to apply pressure and had several quality chances before doubling their lead in the 19th minute. The U.S. failed to clear the ball following a corner and the ball bounced around in the box before finding Rafael Borré, whose bicycle kick put the hosts two goals behind inside 20 minutes for the first time since 2016.
The U.S. had its best chance to pull one back in the first half when Christian Pulisic hit the post with a header and Colombia manufactured additional chances at the other end of the pitch, but neither team was able to find the back of the net, and the teams headed down the tunnel with the score 2-0 to the visitors.
A disorganized first half for the hosts gave way to a brighter start to the second and Haji Wright nearly pulled one back for the U.S. with a header in the 50th minute. Eight minutes later, they got their reward for a more energetic and disciplined approach, as Tim Weah was played in by Folarin Balogun and did well to finish low across Colombia keeper Camilo Vargas.
Following the goal, however, the U.S. reverted to poor defending with the first warning signs flashing in the 64th minute when a poor touch allowed Luis Díaz to set up James Rodriguez with plenty of time to shoot only for Matt Turner to deny him with a fine save. Five minutes later, Turner conceded a free kick in a dangerous position when he was judged to have handled the ball outside the box, but the opportunity came to nothing.
Colombia finally broke through again in the 77th minute when a Richard Ríos shot was deflected into the back of the net and then the floodgates were open. In the 85th minute, another bad giveaway gave the visitors a prime opportunity in a dangerous position and Jorge Carrascal made no mistake in adding their fourth goal of the night. The route was completed with another bad giveaway in the 88th minute which resulted in Luis Sinisterra finding the back of the net; the first time the U.S. has conceded five goals since the 2009 Gold Cup.
The U.S. returns to action on Wednesday in its second tune-up match, this time against Brazil. Following that, they’ll begin Copa America play on June 23rd against Bolivia.