LANDOVER, MD — The US men’s national team went into Saturday’s friendly against Colombia as a team with plenty of unanswered questions facing an opponent in some of the best form in the Americas.
Both teams lived up to those pre-match billings as Colombia showed the quality of a team riding a 22-match unbeaten streak while the Americans played like a team that will need to make major improvements if they are going to have a chance for success as the Copa America.
A pair of early first-half Colombia goals gave the South Americans a comfortable cushion, and a late second-half onslaught doomed the Americans in a 5-1 thrashing at Commanders Field.
The Americans had some brief hope of making the final score a respectable one when Tim Weah scored a second-half goal to make it 2-1 in the 58th minute, but three Colombia goals in the final 13 minutes left the Americans battered and beaten.
Colombia struck first in the sixth minute when a failed clearance attempt by Antonee Robinson fell to the feet of Jhon Arias in the penalty area. The Colombian winger reacted quickly to power home a hard shot from 12 yards out, beating Matt Turner to his near post.
Colombian striker Rafael Borre made it 2-0 in the 19th minute when Crystal Palace midfielder Jefferson Lerma won a header over Joe Scally and Johnny Cardoso in the penalty area to send a ball to a wide-open Borre. The Internacional striker connected on a bicycle kick to beat Turner from close range.
It was a short day for Christian Pulisic, who was replaced at halftime by Haji Wright after managing two shots and 14 of 15 passing.
The Americans showed more life in the second half, with Weah responding in the 58th minute with a goal off a Folarin Balogun assist.
Colombia nearly made it 3-1 in the 63rd minute, but Matt Turner rose to the challenge to make a full-stretch save to deny a James Rodriguez shot.
The Cafeteros found their third goal in the 77th minute when a Colombian counterattack sparked by a Johnny Cardoso turnover caught the Americans with players slow to track back, making it easy for Luis Sinisterra to find a wide open Richard Rios for a close-range finish.
Things only got worse for the Americans in the closing minutes of the match, with second-half substitute Juan Quintero setting up a pair of Colombia goals, with the first to Jorge Carrascal in the 85th minute.
The USMNT returns to action on Wednesday in Orlando against Brazil in their final tune-up match before the Copa America begins. The Americans open their tournament on June 23 against Bolivia.
