The U.S. Men’s National Team secured a second fourth place finish in its Copa America history after a 1-0 loss to Colombia at University of Phoenix Stadium in the teams’ final match of the 2016 Copa America Centenario.
The USA had to once again shuffle its defense, this time due to injury, as Matt Besler was drafted into the middle alongside Geoff Cameron and Michael Orozco came in at right back. Additionally, veteran goalkeeper Tim Howard saw his first action of the competition, starting in goal in place of No. 1 ‘keeper Brad Guzan.
The reshuffled defense was breached in the 31st minute as Colombia attacked down the right wing before sending the ball into the center of the pitch just outside the U.S. box for James Rodriguez to play in right back Santiago Arias, whose headed pass was bundled across the line by a sliding Carlos Bacca.
While the U.S. had its chances to score in the second half, notably on a Clint Dempsey free kick and a Bobby Wood shot that hit the right post, the Yanks were unable to find the net despite U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann also bringing on attacking talents Christian Pulisic and Darlington Nagbe late in the match.
The fourth place finish matches the USA’s best placement in a Copa America tournament, which it last achieved in 1995 in Uruguay.
The team now has two months off before reconvening in September for its final two Semifinal Round 2018 World Cup Qualifying matches. The USA will first travel to St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Sept. 2 before returning home to face Trinidad & Tobago on Sept. 9 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Goal Scoring Rundown: COL – Carlos Bacca (Santiago Arias), 31st minute: After an initial Colombia attack down the right wing was rebuffed, Juan Cuadrado sent the ball into the center of the field for James Rodriguez, who lifted a deft chip over the U.S. defense and into the path of overlapping right back Santiago Arias. Arias headed the ball across the face of goal and Bacca slid in front of his defender to redirect the ball across the goal line for the game’s only strike. USA 0, COL 1 FINAL
Key Saves and Defensive Stops: Tim Howard, 12th minute: Colombia attacked down the right hand side often, building on the link between Juan Cuadrado and James Rodriguez, which nearly paid off early in the match as Cuadrado slipped a pass to James in traffic at the top of the U.S. box. The Real Madrid attacker snapped off a powerful shot, but Howard was well positioned and got down quickly to push the shot outside of his left post.
Christian Zapata, 16th minute: On perhaps the USA’s best chance of the opening 45 minutes, Alejandro Bedoya was able to beat his defender to the end line inside the Colombia penalty area. He cut the ball back toward the penalty spot and it arrived at Clint Dempsey’s feet at the top left corner of the six-yard box. Dempsey attempted a one-time redirect on goal, but Zapata slid in from behind just as the ball left Dempsey’s foot to make the crucial block.
David Ospina, 51st minute: In the center of the USA’s offensive third, Dempsey curled a blistering free kick over the Colombia wall from nearly 30 yards out. The shot was post marked for the top right corner of the goal until Ospina made an incredible acrobatic stop, leaping at full stretch to get a hand to the ball and send it over the cross bar.
Next on the Schedule: The U.S. MNT returns to action in September with a final pair of Semifinal Round World Cup Qualifying games. First the USA heads to St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Sept. 2 before returning home to face Trinidad & Tobago at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla., on Sept. 9.
