USA vs. Colombia, Copa America 2016: Final score 0-1, Americans rue missed chances and finish fourth

The United States men's national team lost to Colombia, 1-0, in the third-place match of the Copa America Centenario at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The loss wraps up a 9-match summer that saw the USMNT go 6-3.

Colombia enjoyed most of the early play until the 15th minute when the U.S. worked a beautfiul move to create the first great chance of the match. Jermaine Jones slotted in a throughball to the left flank for Alejandro Bedoya to center. His ball found the oncoming Clint Dempsey at the top of the six-yard box, but his shot would be blocked away for a corner kick.

The U.S. fell behind, 1-0, at the hour-mark thanks to a lovely Colombian move. James Rodriguez dinked a ball over the top for Santiago Arias to head across the face of goal and Carlos Bacca to tap into an empty net.

Wood and Dempsey both saw a few good opportunities in front of goal slip away before the halftime whistle blew with the one-goal deficit still intact.

Dempsey again had a good chance to get the U.S. on the board five minutes into the second half, but his curling free kick from 30 yards out was kept out by a fantastic save by David Ospina. It was almost a carbon copy of the sequence from the opening match of the tournament.

At the hour mark, Juan Cuadrado came inches away from scoring one of the goals of the tournament. His long range chip from the right flank floated over a helpless Tim Howard but clanked off the crossbar. In the resulting U.S. attack, Bobby Wood returned the favor by smashing an open shot off the post.

The U.S. had another great chance to equalize in the 83rd minute as Yedlin found acres of space on the right, cut a pass back to the top of the box, but Wood whiffed on a shot.

That would be the last real chance as Colombia killed off the match well to finish third at the Copa America. A tough way to end the tournament for the USA.

Thoughts

• The U.S. came out of the gate a lot more confident than they did against Argentina. Bobby Wood got their first shot attempt just seven minutes in. Topping the 90-minute total from the semifinal.
• Colombia enjoyed more time in the danger areas of the field in the first half. Dominating in the corner kick department 5-2.
• The brilliance of James Rodriguez helped unlock the U.S. back line with ease on the goal. Both center backs were caught out and Yedlin was beaten by Bacca into the empty space for the goal.
• Clint Dempsey and Bobby Wood picked up right where they left off. They combined for several good moves. Their chemistry together looks very promising.
• The U.S. enjoyed a lot of good chances in the second half but just couldn't put the ball in the net.
• It wasn't a poor performance nor was it particularly a good one. Colombia finished their chance and the U.S. didn't. Simple as that.
• Michael Orozco's red card was pure idiocy.
• A poor way to end the tournament.

What's next?

The U.S. squad separates and either goes back to their club or begins their summer vacation. FIFA have eliminated the August window for matches on their calendar, which means we won't see the USMNT against until World Cup qualifying resumes on September 2. The U.S. will travel to St. Vincent and the Grenadines for their penultimate match of CONCACAF's fourth round of qualifying.