The USMNT were thrashed 5-1 by Colombia in what ended up being a friendly disaster for Gregg Berhalter’s men before the start of the Copa América later this month.
The Stars and Stripes were completely embarrassed in front of their own fans in the nation’s capital, Washington DC, on Saturday, as they held a 2-1 score until the 77th minute.
Until that moment, the United States, ranked number 11 in the FIFA world rankings, had dreamed of overcoming a 2-0 loss against the team ranked just below them (number 12), when the star of Juventus’ Timothy Weah scored a goal. after Jhon Arias (6′) and Rafael Borré (19′) scored in the first half for the Colombians.
But three quick goals in less than 13 minutes from Colombians Richard Ríos (77′), Jorge Carrascal (85′) and Luis Sinisterra (88′) surprised the home team before their first Copa América group match against Bolivia on June 23.
The United States will need to improve drastically before that, starting in a friendly against no other team than Brazil, currently No. 5 in the world and potential opponent in the Copa América knockout stage, on Wednesday, June 12.
The United States suffered an embarrassing defeat in its own capital before the Copa América on June 20.
American star Christian Pulisic remained relatively quiet during Saturday’s match in Washington DC.
Juventus winger Tim Weah scored early in the second half to give the United States hope as they trailed 2-1.
Former Everton midfielder and 2014 World Cup star James Rodríguez played in the friendly
United States and Norwich City striker Josh Sargent missed Saturday’s friendly and could be removed from the Copa America roster due to injury.
Sargent, a 24-year-old from O’Fallon, Missouri, scored 16 goals in 26 league games for Norwich in England’s second-tier League Championship, but finished the season playing with a swollen foot.
“He won’t be able to play the game against Colombia. We’ll have to see if he makes it to the Brazil game and then we’ll have to make a decision if he makes the Copa America squad,” Berhalter said on Friday.
The United States will play Brazil in Orlando, Florida. After playing Bolivia in its first tournament pool match in Arlington, Texas, the United States will face Panama four days later and Uruguay on July 1 in Kansas City, Missouri.
The lists of twenty-six players for the Copa América must be presented on June 15.
Berhalter must decide who will replace Sergino Dest at right back, who tore his right ACL in April.