The USMNT has been thrashed, 5-1, by Colombia in what ended up being a disaster friendly for Gregg Berhalter’s men before the start of the Copa America later this month.
The Star and Stripes were utterly embarrassed in front of their own fans in no other but the nation’s capital – Washington DCÂ – on Saturday, as they held onto a 2-1 score up until the 77th minute.Â
Up until that point, the US – ranked No. 11 in FIFA’s world rankings – had dreamt of a comeback from 2-0 down against the side ranked just a spot below them (No. 12) as Juventus star Timothy Weah pulled a goal back 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 Colombia’s Richard Rios (77′), Jorge Carrascal (85′) and Luis Sinisterra (88′) shocked the home side ahead of their first Copa America group game against Bolivia on June 23.Â
The US will need to dramatically improve before then, starting in a friendly against no other team than Brazil, currently No. 5 in the world and a potential Copa America knockout stage opponent, on Wednesday, June 12.
Juventus winger Tim Weah scored early in the second half to give the US hope while 2-1 down Former Everton midfielder and 2014 World Cup star James Rodriguez played in the friendly
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‘Really disappointed, obviously, with the result,’ Berhalter said in his post-match comments. ‘We’re not framing it as a lesson learned. We’re actually framing it as a wake-up call.
‘From the 75th, it was I think a lack of respect for our opponents, for the game of soccer.’
Goalkeeper Matt Tuner made no effort to disguise how bad the result was, either.
‘I’m going to apologize to the fans,’ Turner said. ‘That´s not what we´re about. And, yeah, we need to bounce back in a big way.
‘Everybody could look in the mirror after that game or needs to look in the mirror after that game and figure it out.Â
‘They just had a different intensity about them that we didn´t have.’Â
USA and Norwich City forward Josh Sargent missed Saturday’s friendly and could be dropped from the Copa America roster due to injury.
A 24-year-old from O’Fallon, Missouri, Sargent scored 16 goals in 26 league games with Norwich in England’s second-tier League Championship but finished the season while playing with foot swelling.
Borussia Dortmund winger Gio Reyna looks on after the US conceded a goal in the first half Crystal Palace’s Jefferson Lerma bossed the midfield as he also featured in the sold-out game
‘He’s not going to be fit to play in the Colombia game. We’ll have to see if he makes it for the Brazil game, and then we’ll have to make a decision if he makes it on the Copa America roster,’ Berhalter said Friday.
The US will play Brazil in Orlando, Florida. After playing Bolivia in its first group game of the tournament in Arlington, Texas, the US will face Panama, four days later, and Uruguay on July 1 at Kansas City, Missouri.
Twenty-six man Copa America rosters are due June 15.
Berhalter must decide on his replacement at right back for Sergino Dest, who tore his right ACL in April.
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Publish date : 2024-06-08 19:35:16
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