 |
United States midfielder Clint Dempsey (8) kicks a penalty kick against Colombia during the second half of the Copa America Centenario third-place soccer match at University of Phoenix Stadium, Saturday, June 25, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
|
Either way, there was marked progress in the game when laid beside the Americans' botched 2-0 tournament opening loss, against the same Cafeteros, on June 3 in Santa Clara, Calif.
Then, Colombia took a quick lead from a corner and got another goal before halftime on a penalty and phoned in the second half. The USA couldn't make it uncomfortable regardless. But on Saturday, the Yanks were more coherent, cohesive and connected going forward, creating a load of chances in their first game since the dispiriting 4-0 semifinal hiding at the hands of Argentina on Tuesday.
There was nothing at stake but third-place medals – if there even is such a thing. If the Americans won, it would be their best Copa America placement ever in four appearances. If Colombia did, as it would, that would represent its best finish since winning it in 2001 on home soil.
The USA was forced to make two changes to the lineup when left back Fabian Johnson and center back John Brooks were hurt. And they voluntarily gave Tim Howard a game in goal, after he rode the pine in favor of Brad Guzan in the first five Copa games. He would give a strong and sharp performance.
So too did the forwards. It took just 3½ minutes for the U.S. to get an actual shot off, which they never once managed in the lackluster loss to Argentina. Bobby Wood, who was much missed in that game because of a suspension, turned away from his defender but fired high.
Still, the Americans remain prone to the butcher work by strong opposing playmakers. And James Rodriguez easily sliced and diced up the American third, whenever he could bestir himself to.
Just after the half-hour mark, he dispatched several tremendous passes from the hole behind striker Carlos Bacca. He dispatched Juan Cuadrado up the right, who returned it to James. The captain then scooped the ball to Santiago Arias, who managed to head across to find Bacca for the little sliding dink into the net past the defeated Howard.
It was a world-class goal.
 | @FOXSoccer | |
Bacca scores Colombia's first goal in 228 minutes for the 1-0 lead vs #USMNT. That pass from James though! #USAvCOL snpy.tv/29539tR
| ||
And for Colombia, it was enough. Even though the Americans began forging real chances after that goal. The momentum switched, and from then on, it was plain that something fundamental may have shifted for Jurgen Klinsmann's team in this tournament. The Americans took the initiative and built useful possessions, confidently running at and keeping the ball from one of the strongest teams in the world.
 | @PCarrESPN | |
#USMNT has 11 touches in the attacking penalty area in the first half, after three in the whole game vs Argentina.
| ||
Early in the second half, Clint Dempsey hit a most excellent 25-year free kick on a foul he had earned himself, but goalkeeper David Ospina managed to swat it over on a sprawling and spectacular dive.
| @FOXSoccer | |
David Ospina has been the best goalkeeper at #CopaAmerica and it's not close. What a stop to deny Dempsey! #USAvCOL snpy.tv/29567i6
| ||
Colombia, roused from its slumber, got a pair of looks as James slid his finish just wide and Cuadrado chipped a ball off the underside of the bar – whereupon, to the relief and apparent disbelief of Howard, it caromed out.
But Wood, whose emergence into a stud striker has been stunning, somehow freed up the ball and some space in Colombia's box just after the hour. He smashed his finish off the far post.
| @FOXSoccer | |
So. Close. Bobby Wood inches away from netting the equalizer for the #USMNT. #USAvCOL snpy.tv/28TFr0s
| ||
More chances would follow, with Wood and Dempsey threatening continually. But the U.S. wouldn't get much closer to an equalizer that might have sent the symbolic – read: revenue-driven – fight for third place to penalties.
"We should have won," Howard said after the game. "We had the chances."
In injury time, Michael Orozco, in fact, was sent off for shoving Arias in the face – becoming the third American to be sent off in six games in this tournament. Moments later, Arias was dismissed as well, making the final moments a 10-on-10 contest.
If the Yanks fell short in the end, their performance was nevertheless a measure of their progress throughout this Copa America Centenario. "We played them tough tonight," Howard said. "Better than in the first game."
They only lost to Colombia by half as much. And they played twice as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment