A young, hilariously overmatched U.S. men’s national team put forth a mostly encouraging performance against a star-studded Colombia side en route to a 4-2 defeat in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday.
[ WATCH: James gives Colombia lead over USMNT with beauty ]
Dave Sarachan’s record in 12 months as interim head coach now stands at 3W-3D-3L.
Colombia threatened early and often, from the opening five minutes onward, when Antonee Robinson and John Brooks were beaten by Santiago Arias on the edge of the USMNT’s penalty area. Arias glided past the left-sided duo and delivered a delightful cross to Radamel Falcao near the penalty spot. Fortunately for goalkeeper Zack Steffen, Falcao fired over the crossbar and the Yanks were off the hook.
The pressure finally paid off in the 36th minute (WATCH HERE). Rodriguez curled the ball from a seemingly impossible distance outside of Steffen’s right-hand post and nestled it into the upper-90 from the opposite side of the penalty area. It was a goal that reminded us of the world class talent Colombia possessed.
For all of Colombia’s dominance and control exuded in the first half, Los Cafeteros failed to make the USMNT pay with a second goal — for a time. Five minutes into the second half, they paid the price themselves.
Antonee Robinson had all day down the left flank before floating a lofted ball into the box, where Davinson Sanchez got the slightest of touches with his head, but nowhere near enough to send it clear of danger. Acosta read the flight of the ball the entire way and arrived to the six-yard box with split-second timing to make it a 1-1 game.
50' ¡GOL, GOL, GOOOOOOOL DE ACOSTA! 🔥🇺🇸
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) October 12, 2018
La carrera y definición de el del #TeamUSA sí es de este partido 👏
🇺🇸 1-1 🇨🇴#USACOL
EN VIVO 👉 https://t.co/VHiB6dVGxB pic.twitter.com/Q4j6nWclhl
[ UEFA Nations League: Portugal win again without Ronaldo ]
They paid again three minutes later, when Wood split two defenders to get on the end of Tim Weah’s deftly played, inch-perfect through ball to the penalty spot. Wood needed — had time for — just one touch to hit it hard and low past Ospina inside his left-hand post. 2-1 to the USMNT.
53' ¡GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL DE 🇺🇸!
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) October 12, 2018
La barrida de Green, el control y pase de Weah; Wood define en el momento perfecto... ¡TODO LE SALE AL #TEAMUSA! 🙌
🇺🇸 2-1 🇨🇴#USACOL
EN VIVO 👉 https://t.co/VHiB6dVGxB pic.twitter.com/qy0zuJjBYd
The lead was extraordinarily short-lived, though. Arias got to the end line and cut the ball back toward the penalty spot for Carlos Bacca. With every defender’s momentum taking them toward the end line, Bacca peeled away from every blue shirt and had plenty of time and space to send his first-time shot past the outstretched hands of Steffen to make it 2-2.
56' ¡GOOOOOOOOOL DE BAAAAAACCAAAAAAAAA! 🇨🇴🔥🇨🇴🔥🇨🇴🔥
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) October 12, 2018
¡DÉJENME RESPIRAR; HAY JUEGO EN TAMPA!
🇺🇸 2-2 🇨🇴#USACOL
EN VIVO 👉 https://t.co/VHiB6dVGxB pic.twitter.com/vCmeRc243d
The draw was beginning to look attainable — perhaps likely, even — until Colombia struck with a lethal counter-attack directly resulting from a USMNT set piece. Brooks was the USMNT player farthest up the field when Rodriguez booted the ball out of his own penalty area, springing Juan Quintero one-on-one in the open field. Falcao made the hard run through the center of the field to get into the box. No one went with him, and the finish was simple as could be for a player of his caliber.
74' ¡GOOOOOOOOOOL DE COLOMBIA, @FALCAO TAMBIÉN QUERÍA EL SUYO!
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) October 12, 2018
A él no lo dejen solo frente al portero que te... ANIQUILA
🇺🇸 2-3 🇨🇴#USACOL
EN VIVO 👉 https://t.co/VHiB6dVGxB pic.twitter.com/1PtNjwiyml
As if Rodriguez’s opening goal didn’t provide enough of the wow factor for an overwhelmingly pro-Colombia crowd, Bayern Munich’s somewhat maligned superstar set up Miguel Borja for another moment of absolute class in the 79th minute. A simple chipped ball over the top provided a stage for Borja’s acrobatic finish to complete the scoring and the rout.
79' Lo que le hacía falta a esta noche de GOLAAAAAAAZOS 🔥🇨🇴
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) October 12, 2018
Acrobacia de Borja, ligero desvio, y ¡AL FONDO!
🇺🇸 2-4 🇨🇴#USACOL
EN VIVO 👉 https://t.co/VHiB6dVGxB pic.twitter.com/8oqoSv7MBr
