GLENDALE, AZ (June 25, 2016) – Another game against the Colombian National Team. Another loss in which the United States Men’s National Team failed to score. Lots of chance creation. No finishes. The USMNT lost to Colombia in Glendale, AZ on Saturday night 1-0, finishing fourth in the Copa America Centenario.
Poor Finishing Dooms USMNT In Copa America Semifinal
Due to injuries, head coach Jurgen Klinsmann played Matt Besler and Michael Orozco at center back and left back respectively. Jermaine Jones, Alejandro Bedoya, and Bobby Wood all returned to the starting lineup after being suspended for the match against Argentina.
The USMNT gave up the lead in the 31st minute. Similar to Argentina’s first goal on Tuesday, Captain James Rodriguez chipped the ball near post to Santiago Arias. Arias squared the ball to Carlos Bacca for a tap in. No USMNT defender pressured Rodriguez before the pass. On the play, both Colombian players beat their mark to the ball.
The Americans came out with much more energy than they did against Argentina after giving up the opening goal. The match became stretched, as both teams looked to score. Just five minutes after the goal, a DeAndre Yedlin cross found Jones, who’s shot was blocked. Bedoya got to a 50/50 ball first, but the shot deflected over the bar and out for a goal kick.
While no half time substitutions were made, the Yanks came out at half time the way they finished the half. One of their best chances came on a set piece 30 yards from goal. Clint Dempsey sent the ball for upper corner over the wall. Goalkeeper David Ospina stretched out, and just tipped it over the bar at the apex of his jump.
The teams continued to trade chances (and shots off the post). Geoff Cameron played well marking Bacca and organizing the off sides trap by the back four on his runs down field. Cuadrado and Bobby Wood traded shots off the wood work in the 61st minute.
Wood got another great chance in the 83rd minute. Yedlin made a run down the flank on a counter attack and delivered a perfect cross to the striker, but Wood missed it and the ball was cleared.
La Tricolor began to waste time in the second half, with several players going down after fairly innocuous challenges. The frustration of the USMNT at this came to a fever pitch three minutes into stoppage time.
Orozco was fouled in the air just outside the box by Arias. Arias was shown a yellow for the foul and the US began to prepare for a set pieces. The two outside backs exchanged some words after the play, then Orozco shoved Arias to the ground. Orozco was on a yellow card. With a shove to an opponent’s face, head official Daniel Fedorczuk had no other choice. He showed Orozco a straight red card.
Moments later, Arias was sent off as well, with ‘Argument’ listed on the official score card.
Substitute Darlington Nagbe took the free kick, but sent it straight at Ospina, who made the easy save. The match ended 1-0 to Colombia.
On a whole, the US was able to create chances, but wasn’t able to finish. Ospina was excellent in goal. Several Colombian defenders made blocks in key moments. Dempsey was not nearly as involved in the build up play as he had been in the games the US won in this tournament. Wood and Gyasi Zardes were not able to finish. Zardes in particular, looked hesitant.
In performance, the USMNT was much improved compared to their group stage game against Colombia. They defended much better despite a make-shift back line. They created many more chances, generating 11 shots. Only two shots were on goal. They just couldn’t finish. That lack of a brilliant moment doomed them to a fourth place finish in the Copa America Centenario.
At least they didn’t lose 7-0.
