After an opening ceremony featuring a Canadian reggae fusion group, a Colombian reggaeton star, and an American club anthem maker with his own hype man (you know, typical soccer pre-game artists), the United States and Colombia found the fortitude to kick off the Copa America Centenario.
It didn’t take long for Colombia to make their presence known. A well-taken corner by Edwin Cardona found AC Milan defender Christian Zapata sitting unmarked in the center of the eight-yard box. Zapata quickly kicked it into the bottom corner past a helpless Brad Guzan and near-post mark Fabian Johnson for the tournament’s first goal in the eighth minute.
Cristian Zapata converts off the corner kick to give Colombia an early lead in the #CopaAmerica opener. #USAvCOL https://t.co/2iFB3mMzTM
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 4, 2016
Bookmarking the goal, the Nats had urgency with the ball, pushing possession forward and making unforced errors, though Colombia didn’t capitalize during the run of play.
Personally, I think it was the right call. Not an intentional block, but he did make his body bigger as he turned. Penalty kick every time.
After a thirty-minute interchange of momentum and the United States trying to reassert themselves, a controversial handball call by the referee on DeAndre Yedlin forced a 42nd minute penalty kick for James Rodriguez. Rodriguez was able to send Guzan the wrong way, slotting the kick and doubling Colombia’s lead just before halftime.
Accurate penalty call? #USAvCOL #CopaAmerica
— Jeff Rueter (@jeffrueter) June 4, 2016
I mean…you gotta call that. RT @Ben_Jata: The Yedlin handball (PK). #USAvCOL pic.twitter.com/WPB0I5a57S
— Joe Ovies (@joeovies) June 4, 2016
Personally, I think it was the right call. Not an intentional block, but he did make his body bigger as he turned. Penalty kick every time.
Lil’ Jon’s “Turn Down For What” summoned the teams to the field for the second half as the United States looked to turn down the heat on Jurgen Klinsmann’s hot seat. Much like the 2014 World Cup game against Germany, the United States played up to their opponent overall but gave too much possession to the better side. Despite a flurry of corner kicks around the 58-minute mark, the US failed to get on the score sheet. An impressive diving save kept a Clint Dempsey free kick from entering the net in the 64th.
Another look at David Ospina's save to deny Clint Dempsey. Can the #USMNT find a way back? #USAvCOL #CopaAmerica https://t.co/b2IHaQSABr
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 4, 2016
After some substitutions, Bacca nearly capitalized in the 77th minute, with his breakaway shot ultimately stopped by the crossbar. The United States had their chances in the final fifteen but were never able to cut down the deficit.
Where does the US go from here?
It’ll be interesting to see if Klinsmann employs the same lineup next match against Costa Rica. Alejandro Bedoya was shown a yellow card before the 60th minute; due to Copa rules, if he picked up another yellow in his next match, he’d be suspended for the third group match. Darlington Nagbe, who, along with Christian Pulisic, was subbed into the match in the 66th, plays well centrally and would help minimize the suspension risk.
The backline comprised of four vets in European leagues looked sturdy despite the final score. Cameron missed a mark on the corner kick, but there’s no apparent replacement for the right centerback spot. Carlos Bacca was neutralized after three elite scoring seasons for Sevilla and AC Milan.
For Colombia, the storyline won’t just be the result. Instead, star midfielder James Rodriguez suffered an apparent left shoulder injury after going to ground with an outstretched arm. Despite trying to play it off, Colombia didn’t want to risk their best player in the game’s opening match.
This result isn’t fatal for the US’ chances at advancing. Wins over Costa Rica and Paraguay would surely clinch a spot in the second round and even a draw in one of those two could see the Yanks through. Remember, the USMNT got 4 points in group play in the 2014 World Cup and still made it through to the knockout stages. It wasn’t a great performance from the US, and it doesn’t leave much margin for error in this group.
While Klinsmann had all positives to say in the postgame press conference, this clip sums up fiftyfive.one’s feelings about the game pretty well.
#Klinsmann summarizing tonite's team play. #USMNT pic.twitter.com/sN0p7MVmDp
— Frank from Seven Hills (@PapiElGuapo) June 4, 2016
Today’s Copa America Centenario Matches
GROUP A 4:00 PM CDT
Costa Rica
Paraguay
GROUP B 6:30 PM CDT
Haiti
Peru
GROUP B 9:00 PM CDT
Brazil
Ecuador
See you all here again tomorrow at fiftyfive.one as we break down today’s games!
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