The US contained James Rodriguez well, but he buried a penalty that secured the game.
Neil W. Blackmon
The United States lost 2-0 to Colombia Friday night in the opening match of the Copa America Centenario at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The defeat puts the US in a precarious position as they head to Chicago for Tuesday night’s match at Soldier Field against another 2014 World Cup quarterfinalist, Costa Rica. The Americans fell behind in the eighth minute, when Colombia converted a corner on a simple pick play, with Cristian Zapata beating Geoff Cameron to a spot and blasting past a helpless Brad Guzan. The Colombians added to their lead shortly before the half, when DeAndre Yedlin was called for a handball in the box. The call initially appeared controversial, but replays confirmed Yedlin left his hand high and made clean contact with the ball. James Rodriguez, who the US held largely in check throughout the opening half, converted the penalty to give Los Cafeteros a 2-0 lead at the half.
Four thoughts on the American defeat:
The Yanks played fairly well in the first half, but were punished for the few mistakes they made.
The United States controlled possession, to the surprise of many, and played large portions of the opening half in the Colombian final third. But the US lacked secondary runners to finish crisp ball movement and in the end, only a long range blast by Clint Dempsey truly threatened Colombian keeper David Ospina.
Michael Bradley was largely sensational for the US in a deep-lying midfield position, pinging passes all over the park and helping the US maintain pressure throughout the opening half. But it was his giveaway on a rather simple ball in his own half that gave Colombia the ball and set up the penalty on Yedlin, a blemish that largely negated the good the Toronto FC midfielder did on the ball in the first half.
Clint Dempsey, criticized by many as ill-suited for the 4-3-3 formation, was also effective in the opening frame, dropping back to make himself available and taking on defenders when he did receive the ball, drawing multiple fouls. Dempsey’s influence faded substantially in the second half, a problem that begs for a solution from the US manager. But even when he was influential, the US lacked imagination on the final ball, and in the end, despite pressure, the Colombian goal mouth remained largely free of danger.
Meanwhile, just as Colombia punished Michael Bradley’s error, it was a simple error by stalwart American defender Geoff Cameron that helped Colombia score their opening goal. Colombia ran a simple pick play on a corner, and the Stoke City man failed to recognize it, getting beat to a spot by Cristian Zapata, who hammered the ball home for his first international goal. It was a tough moment for the American CB, who was expected to anchor the US defense after a splendid season at Stoke City.
John Brooks and DeAndre Yedlin, despite his penalty, were strong for the US tonight.
John Brooks had a terrific game for the United States. So did DeAndre Yedlin, despite the penalty.
The Hertha Berlin man entered the tournament coming off a terrific season at his club, but having failed to produce consistent performances for country. He delivered Friday night, holding splendid Colombian forward Carlos Bacca at bay and helping jumpstart a handful of US attacks with clean distribution from the back. It’s the type of center half Jurgen Klinsmann has been searching for throughout his tenure, and the type of performance against an elite team Klinsmann and the US coaching staff have been looking for from the Berlin man.
On the right flank, DeAndre Yedlin showed a good amount of the skill that helped him find his way out of Sam Allardyce’s doghouse and into the circle of trust during Sunderland’s relegation battle. Yedlin held his own on the flanks against Edwin Cardona and Juan Cuadrado, and provided a handful of positive moments getting forward, particularly late in the game, when the US were pressing for a goal. Yedlin was one of the few American players willing to consistently take on defenders, and his work rate earned the Americans corner kicks and chances late. More important, he showed a defensive understanding he’s never displayed at this level, which is a positive sign for the Americans moving forward.
Bobby Wood isn’t a winger. Gyasi Zardes is a center forward. And Clint Dempsey isn’t the answer for 90 minutes.
I tweeted this when I saw the lineup, and I think it hurt the Americans Friday night.
https://twitter.com/nwblackmon/status/738887545610702848
The US had the lion’s share of possession in threatening areas, but the pieces they have at forward weren’t complementary pieces. Wood was anonymous throughout the evening, except on the rare occasions where he could get central. Zardes did little to distinguish himself on a flank, and on the rare instances he did attempt to combine with Clint Dempsey, the spacing was poor.
This was a consistent theme, but perhaps the most glaring spacing issue was a chance late in the game for the US, where Clint Dempsey failed to hit a Pulisic pass one-time, instead taking a touch and firing a shot wide. That’s a simple play where Dempsey needs to either hit the ball one-tie with his right foot, or let it roll to the man on the left, who can hit the ball square from a positive angle. This was a selfish play by Dempsey, borne out of a lack of trust and familiarity with the formation his side played in.
As disappointing as the United States defeat was, the Americans expectation should be to collect six points at home in the final two matches.
The US are at home in this tournament, and despite the reasonable number of yellow shirts in the Levi’s Stadium crowed Friday night, that will matter, particularly at the next two venues. Chicago isn’t a great place for the US to play Mexico- Benny Feihaber heroics aside—but Costa Rica isn’t ever a nation that travels particularly well and the Americans will enjoy a tremendous home atmosphere Tuesday night.
Further, New Jersey friendly aside, the Ticos success in the United States has been limited, and without all-world goalkeeper Keylor Navas, the Americans are the better side. Costa Rica have a sparkling starting 11, and may set up to draw if proceedings against Paraguay in Orlando go well Saturday afternoon. But this is a game the US should win, and if they do, the Americans will face a Paraguay side in poor form in Philadelphia, a city that has for a decade or so been an American fortress.
The US can and should get through to the quarterfinal. Let’s see how they respond.
Neil W. Blackmon co-founded The Yanks Are Coming. Follow him on Twitter @nwblackmon.