Doug McIntyre
Soccer Journalist
It is admirable that the U.S. males’s nationwide staff needed to schedule a pair of world soccer heavyweights to organize for this summer time’s Copa América on house soil. The chance, after all, was getting embarrassed within the course of.
That is precisely how Saturday’s 5-1 loss to Colombia within the People’ first pre-Copa tuneup match performed out. In entrance of a giant, largely pro-Cafeteros crowd in Landover, Maryland, the guests took an early lead and by no means actually appeared again.
Jhon Arias scored by profiting from a defensive miscue by the U.S. earlier than six minutes had elapsed, and Rafael Santos Borré doubled his nation’s benefit earlier than the primary half had even reached the halfway level.
Colombia scored three extra instances within the remaining quarter-hour to finish the rout after Tim Weah had offered the one brilliant spot all night for the U.S. Weah briefly minimize the deficit to 2-1 with a well-taken purpose early within the second half.
“I feel everyone must look within the mirror after that sport,” U.S. keeper Matt Turner informed broadcaster TNT afterward. “It is actually, actually disappointing in entrance of such an amazing crowd, so I need to apologize to the followers as nicely. As a result of that is not what we’re about. And yeah, we have to bounce again in a giant approach.”
The U.S. will not have a lot time to dwell on the lopsided defeat with an much more daunting opponent, five-time World Cup champion Brazil, looming in its subsequent preparation sport on Wednesday in Orlando, Florida.
Play of the sport
Santos Borré’s strike was a worthy game-winner. A defection following a Colombian nook kick noticed the ball ping pong across the penalty space earlier than finally falling to the ahead unmarked together with his again to Turner’s purpose. Santos Borré’ leaped into the air and executed a close-range bicycle kick that left Turner little time to react:
Turning level
Arias’s opener set the tone early when he pounced on an tried Antonee Robinson clearance, danced previous Robinson’s Fulham teammate Tim Ream and beat Turner at his close to publish. It was the worst attainable begin for the U.S. Even at that stage, there was a sense that this won’t be the People’ day:
Key stat
With a 53-47 possession benefit, the U.S. had the vast majority of the ball after falling behind. They weren’t environment friendly with it, although, because the guests outshot them 15-10, together with a 6-2 benefit in on-target makes an attempt.
What’s subsequent for the USMNT?
Oh, nothing particular — simply probably the most celebrated worldwide staff of all time. With a 1W-18L-0 report versus Brazil, it is a matchup nightmare for the U.S. The People have misplaced 11 straight assembly since their lone victory over the Seleção all the way in which again in 1998.
Nonetheless, the U.S. cannot be a lot worse on Wednesday, proper? End result apart, Gregg Berhalter’s staff was extra rusty and/or sloppy for many of the approach on Saturday versus downright horrible. All 5 targets towards got here because of errors that, in concept not less than, are preventable.
It was a humiliating and embarrassing loss nonetheless, to make sure. Saturday’s harsh lesson might nonetheless serve the Copa hosts nicely when the match arrives, particularly in the event that they get one other crack at Colombia within the knockout stage. If you are going to lose 5-1, it higher be in sport that does not rely.
“Clearly, it is a studying expertise for the entire boys and myself tonight.,” Weah stated. “However I am able to go once more. I am able to face one other good opponent. I am able to bounce again.”
What’s subsequent for Colombia?
Another costume rehearsal, subsequent weekend towards Bolivia in West Hartford, Connecticut, the place Los Cafeteros will try to increase their unbeaten streak to 23 video games. The Colombians kick off their Copa América slate with Paraguay on June 24 in Houston.
Doug McIntyre is a soccer author for FOX Sports activities. Earlier than becoming a member of FOX Sports activities in 2021, he was a employees author with ESPN and Yahoo Sports activities and he has coated the United States males’s and ladies’s nationwide groups at a number of FIFA World Cups. Comply with him at @ByDougMcIntyre.
Get extra from Copa América Comply with your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra