June 9 – Billed as a warm-up for Copa America and a step on the US team’s journey to their 2026 home hosting of the World Cup, the US were brought down to earth with a bang following a 5-1 dismantling at the hands of Colombia.
The US are ranked 11th in the world, one place ahead of Colombia. The match should have been a hard fought battle between two teams close together in abilities and ambitions. It was far from it.
Things won’t get any easier for the US as they play Brazil in their last friendly before the Copa America on Thursday.
On June 23 in Arlington, Texas, the US open their Copa America campaign, but on this showing it will be a short one.
The loss to Colombia ended the US’s unbeaten 21 game run (the last seven matches were straight wins) while it extended Colombia’s unbeaten run since a 1-0 defeat at Argentina in a World Cup qualifier on February 1, 2022.
For the first time in US national team history, there was not one player in the starting 11 who plays their club football in the US. The opening line-up featured players whose clubs are in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
Colombia took the lead in the sixth minute when James Rodriguez threaded a pass that went off the left leg of a sliding Antonee Robinson to Jhon Arias who took a touch and then beat Matt Turner at his near post.
Colombia were two up 13 minutes later when the US defence failed to deal with a Rodriguez corner but which fell to Rafael Santos Borré who scored with an overhead kick.
Where the US huffed and puffed and failed to show any real spark, the Colombians were cooking with gas in what was a classy performance.
Just before the hour Tim Weah pulled a goal back and it looked like it might be game back on.
Colombia weren’t having any of it and with three goals in 11 minutes from Richard Ríos, Jorge Carrascal and Luis Sinisterra late in the second half, made their point.
US coach Gregg Berhalter has to now motivate a talented group of young players who looked down and out ahead of what could be a dispiriting summer for the US if he gets it wrong.
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