The U.S. Men’s National Team’s run through the Copa America got off to a less-than-ideal start on Friday night.
Facing off with South American powerhouse Colombia, the U.S. was undone by two costly mistakes in the first half of a 2-0 loss. Despite some positive signs, especially on the defensive end, the U.S. never truly put Colombia on the ropes in Friday’s tournament opener.
It was a match that leaned towards the negative for the U.S., despite several positive signs. On a night were several players struggled, the U.S. did prove more proactive against Colombia, even if there was plenty lacking in the final third.
Although Costa Rica lies ahead, there were plenty of takeaways from Friday’s USMNT to loss to Colombia, including several things that must be fixed if the U.S. hopes to continue on their Copa America journey.
Here are some takeaways from the USMNT’s 2-0 loss to Colombia:
CAMERON CAUGHT NAPPING DESPITE SOLID PERFORMANCE
For a majority of Friday night’s clash, Geoff Cameron was one of the USMNT’s standout performers. However, a split second decision cost both Cameron and the USMNT in Friday’s Copa America opener.
In the game’s early moments, Cameron was fierce and aggressive, making several key tackles before unleashing a highlight reel spin in his own third to evade a Colombian defender. Overall, it was a good start from Cameron undone by a mistake on the opening goal.
The Stoke City defender simply lost sight of his man on the Colombia opener. There was no egregious pick play or foul in the box. It was a momentarily lapse, one that cost the USMNT deeply.
For the rest of the match, Cameron did not put a wrong foot in. Overall, it was a very good performance with one mistake that proved damning on the night.
BRADLEY WELL BELOW PAR, BUT NOT IN DANGER
Michael Bradley shined as a No.6 throughout the USMNT’s pre-Copa America friendlies. However, Friday’s effort was one of Bradley’s most lackluster in quite some time.
Penciled back into a deeper position, Bradley struggled throughout Friday’s match. Passes were errant throughout, and the veteran midfielder was never close to capable of unlocking a well-structured Colombia defense. Overall, Bradley was uncharacteristically sloppy and, truth be told, was one of the more detrimental players on the field.
However, any calls for Bradley’s benching are ridiculous. If the USMNT is to have any hope of reaching the knockout rounds, Bradley will need to be instrumental. Friday’s display was a perfect example of that, as a lackluster Bradley performance proved the chief catalyst of a lackluster USMNT performance.
Heading into what is now a must-win match against Costa Rica, the USMNT will need Bradley more than ever. If the USMNT hopes to enjoy more than a one-week stay in the Copa America, they will need Bradley, and they will need him a lot better than he was on Friday evening.
WOOD, ZARDES WRONG FIT AS WINGERS
Gyasi Zardes and Bobby Wood have shown their different talents in recent weeks, but neither of the USMNT starters were cast in the right role against Colombia.
Played as wingers in a 4-3-3, neither Wood or Zardes could make a true impact on Friday night. Of the two, Zardes was likely the better option, but banished to wide positions, the duo struggled to create a link up with starting striker Clint Dempsey. The two forwards drifted far away from the box and never generated anything in the attacking third, prompting a switch to a 4-4-2 early in the second half.
Defensively, the pair’s unfamiliarity with their roles showed in a major way. With the two young forward leading the charge, the USMNT press was just always off. Colombia’s defenders never looked truly hurried, and the U.S. was never able to force Colombia into any mistakes in a lineup that featured a formation built for relentless pressing.
When looking at Wood especially, it’s time to admit that he is a striker, and a very good one at that. Arguably the USMNT’s most in-form player, Wood is wasted in a position where he is unable to find his way in the box. No coach wants Wood on the ball near the corner flag; they want him on the ball in the box with a chance to do legitimate damage, something he was unable to do in the slightest on Friday.
NOT TIME TO PANIC JUST YET
Friday’s performance presented plenty of reasons for concern, but no reasons to panic. At least not yet.
Heading into Tuesday’s match against Costa Rica, the USMNT is still very much alive. A win over their CONCACAF rivals puts the U.S. in good position ahead of the group’s final match. If a six-point scenario unfolds, the Colombia defeat will serve as little more than a footnote of a successful navigation through a difficult group.
It is still very true that Colombia was the USMNT’s toughest test of the group stage, and even if they didn’t pass it, there were still signs of life. For all of the ineptness in display in certain areas, some proved impressive against the No.3 team in the world. Defensively, the U.S. wasn’t undone from open play, a true compliment for a backline that will face less dangerous tasks going forward.
There remains plenty of cause for concern, as the U.S. now faces a do-or-die scenario. However, against a familiar foe, the USMNT holds their fate in their own hands as the Copa America continues on.
