USA vs. Colombia, recap: Colombia flexes their muscles on the young Yanks

The United States Men’s National Team came into this match with another opportunity to face some high level competition. Back into the starting eleven and captaining the side was Michael Bradley with several midfielders out with injury. Colombia was by far the better team as they created opportunities at will most of the night and came away with a 4-2 win.

Colombia flat out dominated in the first half. Just two minutes into the match, Colombia’s Radamel Falcao skied a golden scoring opportunity following a cross from the right flank. Colombia would not be done attacking down that right side as they terrorized Antonee Robinson time and time again. In the 36th minute, Colombia finally found a breakthrough off a moment of brilliance from their superstar, James Rodriguez. Rodriguez received the ball just inside the penalty area and none of Michael Bradley, John Brooks or Antonee Robinson closed him down. He had just enough space to score this sensational goal.

Los Cafeteros were unable to add another despite pressuring on multiple occasions.

The first ten minutes of the second half was a different story. In the 50th minute, Bradley found Robinson on the left wing and he floated a cross that Kellyn Acosta met to level the score. Acosta made a very good run from midfield and finished well.

This goal opened up the game in a big way. Just three minutes later, the USMNT would strike once more. Julian Green did well to to win a ball at midfield and spring Timothy Weah into space. Weah raced at the defense on the left wing and made a gorgeous pass to Bobby Wood to finish first time and pull the US in front 2-1.

The lead and the joy was short-lived. Once again, Antonee Robinson was late to react as Colombia would pull level in the 57th minute. The 21-year-old was consistently out of position and slow to recognize danger all night. The through ball went by him and Carlos Bacca cooly finished the pull back pass.

Colombia was far from done. In the 73rd minute, James Rodriguez pushed ahead with a speculative long ball that Robinson didn’t read well to start a counter. Falcao would get his goal after a nice late run that left substitute Marky Delgado chasing. At least Delgado was actually chasing. That’s far more than I can say for Michael Bradley’s effort here.

Then in the 79th minute, Colombia once again attacked down the right. This time Robinson’s replacement Ben Sweat was the one chasing the run down the wing. James was involved again as he floated a cross to the back post that Miguel Borja finished brilliantly.

Colombia were unable to add anymore despite a couple other great opportunities and hitting the woodwork as well. The match would end at 4-2 with Ben Sweat making his USMNT debut. We also got to see the Philadelphia Union’s Fafa Picault make a cameo.

Overall, this was a completely dominant Colombia performance with the exception of ten solid minutes at the start of the second half for the USMNT. It wasn’t good enough defensively and there were far too many mistakes made. Still, it was a good opportunity for the young players to get some experience against a high level opponent.

Next up, the USMNT will take on Peru on Tuesday night in Hartford, Connecticut.