USA vs. Colombia score, result, stats as USMNT fall apart in second half of pre-Copa America friendly

Kyle Bonn

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USA vs. Colombia score, result, stats as USMNT fall apart in second half of pre-Copa America friendly image

Through the first 60 minutes of their friendly against red-hot Colombia on Saturday, the United States looked close to ready for the 2024 Copa America to begin. After 90 minutes, they looked like boys against men.

The USMNT was punished for a host of schoolboy mistakes through the final stages of a humbling 5-1 defeat to Colombia, conceding three times in the final 15 minutes of the match.

With the Copa America set to begin in just two weeks, this match plus a friendly against Brazil next week were meant to fine-tune the roster in an effort to be in top form for the major tournament on home soil. Through the first hour of the match, they trailed 2-1 and looked to be a near-finished product, with just a few small errors leading to a pair of exquisite first-half goals for Colombia.

As Tim Weah brought the U.S. back level on the hour mark, it appeared the U.S. may have a chance to get a result against an opponent amid a strong 21-match unbeaten streak. Instead, they withered amidst a host of substitutions in the final third of the friendly, conceding a trio of hilariously poor goals on giveaways that even amateurs would know to avoid.

STREAM:Watch the USMNT vs. Colombia live with Sling

Gregg Berhalter will have a lot of pieces to pick up after that humbling effort. While the most important phases of the game provided some strong promise of a good showing at the CONMEBOL competition to come, the finish to the match was a strong dose of reality that needs to be digested quickly and completely.

The Sporting News is following the USA vs. Colombia match live, providing score updates, commentary, and highlights as they happen.

USA vs. Colombia live score

 Score (2H)Goal scorers
USA1Weah (58')
Colombia5J. Arias (6'),
Borre (19'),
Rios (77'),
Carrascal (85'),
Sinisterra (88')

Kickoff: 5:37 p.m. ET / 2:37 p.m. PT
Location: Commanders Field (Landover, MD)

Starting lineups:

USA (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Turner (GK) — 22. Scally, 3. Richards, 13. Ream (Carter-Vickers, 63'), 5. A. Robinson — 15. Johnny (de la Torre, 82'), 7. Reyna (M. Tillman, 63'), 8. McKennie (Musah, 71') — 21. Weah, 20. Balogun (Pepi, 71'), 10. Pulisic (Wright, 46').

Colombia (4-2-3-1, right to left): 12. Vargas (GK) — 21. Munoz, 23. D. Sanchez, 3. Lucumi, 17. Mojica — 15. Uribe (Rios, 46'), 16. Lerma — 11. Arias (Carrascal, 63'), 10. J. Rodriguez (Quintero, 71'), 7. Diaz (Sinisterra, 71') — 19. Borre (Duran, 63').

USA vs. Colombia live updates, highlights, commentary

USA vs. Colombia stats

USAStatColombia
10Shots15
2Shots on target6
52%Possession48%
435Passes387
2Corners2
7Fouls16
1Yellow cards0

FULLTIME: USA 1-5 Colombia

After the first hour of play, the U.S. looked right in the match and maybe even on their way towards securing a positive result against a world-class opponent. As the full-time whistle blows, it's suddenly blown up in their faces in spectacular fashion.

The possessional buildup was utterly shambolic in the final 15 minutes, and Gregg Berhalter will be having strong words with those on the field at that time. The off-ball movement was abysmal, and the decision-making on the ball was even worse.

Yet across the most important stage of the friendly, the U.S. looked strong and for a short time even potentially en route to a quality result. There are real positives to take from this match, but the finish will leave a very sour taste in the mouths of many.

USA vs. Colombia: Second half

88th min: GOAL! COLOMBIA! Colombia are running riot as the United States have lost their heads. It comes off another possessional giveaway as Cameron Carter-Vickers has nobody to pass to and just feeds a Colombian midfielder up the gut. Luis Sinisterra is the man to finish it off and there's nowhere for these U.S. players to hide — they've just completely fallen apart.

85th min: GOAL! COLOMBIA! The U.S. has completely fallen apart amidst all the substitutions, and Jorge Carrascal makes it four. It comes off a really bad giveaway in midfield by Yunus Musah, who just dribbles right into a defender and leaves his teammates wide open at the back.

Jorge Carrascal is the extra man, and unmarked he easily finishes past Matt Turner who was left on an island. The last two Colombia goals are, flat out, inexcusable.

83rd min: More substitutions for the United States as Luca de la Torre comes on for Johnny Cardoso. The Real Betis man had a great first half, but fell apart after the break and likely won't have done enough to earn a starting spot in Copa America games. He's still a really quality player who deserves to be here, but there are better players ahead of him.

77th min: GOAL! COLOMBIA! Richard Rios finds a third for Colombia to seal a victory! It comes from a really strong cutback from Luis Sinisterra who drives towards the byline down the right and finds the open man all alone at the penalty spot. It's a big error to leave someone so unmarked in a good position, and the U.S. have been undone again, this time on a big defensive error.

73rd min: Ouch, Yunus Musah takes a knee-to-knee challenge from Colombian midfielder Richard Rios. He's down receiving treatment, and clearly in some pain. Having only just come on a moment ago, this is a concern for the U.S. but it looks like the treatment should allow him to continue.

69th min: Matt Turner is booked by the official for touching the ball outside his penalty area, trying to collect a long delivery in the path of a Colombia attacker. It's a confusing passage of play...shouldn't that be a red if it's outside the 18-yard box?

Ricardo Pepi and Yunus Musah enter for the United States, replacing Folarin Balogun and Weston McKennie. For Colombia, a pair of stars in Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez are brought off, with Leeds star Luis Sinisterra coming on alongside Quintero.

64th min: Chance, Colombia! A big save by Matt Turner who goes full-stretch to deny Jhon Duran, pushing the ball wide and out for a corner! The U.S. have been vulnerable the past few minutes to Colombia's counter-attack which has created a few big opportunities on net.

61st min: Chance, Colombia! The hosts have gotten away with one as on the counter, Luis Diaz hits the inside of the post and the ball rolls along the goal line and skids wide! That's agonizingly close for the Liverpool star!

After the chance, Colombia make a pair of changes as Jhon Duran and Jorge Carrascal will enter in place of Rafael Santos Borre and Jhon Arias, the two goal scorers. Gregg Berhalter has two as well as Cameron Carter-Vickers and Malik Tillman comes on in place of Tim Ream and Gio Reyna.

58th min: GOAL! USA! The U.S. has pulled one back as Tim Weah squeaks one in from the right! He receives a vertical ball from Folarin Balogun and pokes it over the outstretched leg of Camilo Vargas, a quality finish with a small window to shoot through between the charging goalkeeper and the two trailing defenders!

56th min: Haji Wright has another opportunity from the left as he finds a small window to shoot, but skies it high and wide. He's been very good since coming on at halftime but has little help in the buildup.

50th min: Chance, USA! The U.S. has a free-kick from about 25 yards out won by Antonee Robinson. Gio Reyna stands over it and delivers the ball to the top of the six-yard box, and Haji Wright meets it with his head, but it's sent inches over the crossbar!

Kickoff: Gregg Berhalter is bringing Haji Wright in off the bench to start the second half, replacing Christian Pulisic, which is surprising given he was one of the brightest U.S. attacker in the first half while Tim Weah struggled. The TNT broadcast reports that Pulisic's withdrawal is down to managing his minutes "after a long season at AC Milan."

Colombia also make a change as the half gets under way, with Richard Rios coming on to replace Matheus Uribe.

HALFTIME: USA 0-2 Colombia

Colombia have deserved their lead, creating good transitional opportunities and working hard in midfield. They took two speculative chances and turned them into a pair of stunning strikes.

Yet the United States also do not deserve to be trailing by a pair. They have made a few mistakes and are being hemmed in by Colombia's physicality, but they are standing tall to a world class opponent and putting in a good shift. They've come up empty with a few chances in front of net and need to be more clinical, and it's a lesson in how small errors at the back can translate to opposition goals. Yet on the whole, they've been solid overall.

Joe Scally in particular has done extremely well to keep Luis Diaz from having a bigger impact on this game after being fed chance after chance up front.

USA vs. Colombia: First Half

45th min: Chance, Colombia! A miss from Mathias Uribe at the far post, who makes a very late run and meets a ball over the top with an outstretched leg, but he puts it wide of the net from close range!

42nd min: The U.S. continue to put together good chances on the Colombia net, but still have yet to break through. This time it's Johnny Cardoso who takes aim on net after a good switch of play, but it's blocked away before reaching the goal mouth.

Then Joe Scally does a wonderful job to track back and dispossess Luis Diaz on what appeared to be a dangerous counter-attack!

32nd min: Chance, USA! Christian Pulisic pings the woodwork with a near-post header! He plays a one-two with Antonee Robinson, redirecting the return ball towards the lower-left corner, drawing a full-stretch dive from Camilo Vargas, but it strikes the post and clatters away from danger! Unlucky!

31st min: The U.S. put something together from a free-kick, as it's swung in to the back post from 28 yards out to the head of Folarin Balogun. Backpedaling, the USMNT striker does well to redirect the ball back centrally, but it's cleared away by a defender before any fellow American can meet it.

27th min: Colombia have been slightly more comfortable since going 2-0 up, as the U.S. have struggled to put attacking moves together and threaten Camilo Vargas's goal. Pulling one back soon would be enormous, as it would keep Colombia from becoming slowly more conservative as the match moves forward, protecting the two goal lead.

19th min: GOAL! COLOMBIA! WHAT a goal from Raphael Santos Borre to put Colombia up a pair! A SPECTACULAR BICYCLE KICK!

The U.S. concede a corner as Tim Ream gives it away playing out of the back before Johnny Cardoso gets a necessary touch to a ball that's about to be put on goal. Colombia play it short initially but eventually sent to the back post with a cross, and Jefferson Lerma meets the ball to keep it alive amidst two U.S. defenders. From an extremely tight angle, Borre then contorts his body to whip it on net with a bike, producing a moment of brilliance to double the lead.

Matt Turner probably should do better in goal, but there's not too much blame to go around the U.S. squad, that's just a wonderful goal.

17th min: Chance, Colombia! James Rodriguez puts a header wide! The cross from the left meets his dome but it's redirected powerfully wide right. That's a good opportunity gone by!

15th min: The United States may trail, but they've done quite well to stand up early against a strong opponent. One fortunate deflection and one minor defensive error see them trail, but otherwise they've been strong in possession and stout at the back.

For Columbia, Luis Diaz has been the unsurprising first option in their buildup down the left, but his latest crossed is headed clear by Tim Ream awkwardly but effectively as he avoids conceding a corner.

9th min: Chance, USA! Folarin Balogun has the ball cleared off the line! Antonee Robinson's speculative long ball is dropped right in a bucket, and Balogun's first touch is quite good, bringing the ball down in his path at full speed. Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas comes off his line to challenge at a tight angle, and Balogun pokes it past him, but Balogun's defender had done so well to redirect and cover the line, sliding to clear the ball out just before it skids over the line.

6th min: GOAL! COLOMBIA! The United States have been broken down just six minutes in as Jhon Arias puts the visitors in front! It's a superb goal from a very tight angle as the Fluminense winger receives a fortunate bounce off a deflection from Antonee Robinson right to his feet, and he beats Tim Ream to create a tiny window of space and fire into the top corner.

It's a near-post finish, but Matt Turner had no chance, as Ream has to do better to cut off the angle on goal. The deflection off Robinson is quite lucky, as the Fulham full-back had made a good tackle to cut out the vertical feed.

3rd min: Both teams are showing good attacking intent as Luis Diaz looks to test Joe Scally out wide, but the U.S. full-back does well to stand tall and keep the Colombia star from creating a chance. Scally's performance will be followed closely around the country as Gregg Berhalter searches for his Sergino Dest replacement.

1st min: The hosts waste no time trying to test Colombia's goal, as striker Folarin Balogun receives the ball at the top of the penalty area and looks to turn and shoot on frame. The strike is vicious but it flies just high and wide left.

Kickoff: They're under way at Commanders Field! A huge 90 minutes for the United States to show they are contenders at the Copa America. The biggest criticism of Gregg Berhalter's tenure so far has been an inability to beat top global teams, so the time starts now to prove they can match up against the best the world has to offer. Colombia and their 21-game unbeaten streak absolutely qualify as a top-quality opponent.

Tyler Adams told the TNT pregame show that they "have the opportunity to do something special" this summer, and that's absolutely true. Forget the 2026 World Cup, the Copa America presents a prime chance to show they are here to compete amongst the global's most dominant sides.

USA vs. Colombia: Pre-match commentary, analysis, more

15 mins to kickoff: Johnny Cardoso's presence in the U.S. midfield is the one big surprise from Gregg Berhalter today. It's unclear whether that's an indication of his spot in the XI moving forward, or just a chance for him to impress, it's unclear. But he's been given the nod ahead of Yunus Musah and Tyler Adams, who were both left on the bench.

Johnny had a wonderful final season at Brazilian club Internacional before moving to Spanish club Real Betis, where he brought his great form with him. He's certainly earned this chance, but supplanting both Musah and Adams is a big call from Gregg Berhalter.

30 mins to kickoff: James Rodriguez is one of the most decorated and accomplished players in Colombia history, but his spot in the team for this Copa America is uncertain. At 32 years old, Rodriguez has been less and less fit enough for a full 90 minutes, and after an injury-riddled first season with Brazilian side Sao Paulo, there are questions about whether he's still a starter on this Cafeteros side.

In truth, it's a microcosm of Rodriguez's entire career, with his 2014 World Cup stardom launching him to stardom but failing to truly foreshadow a world class career. His time at Real Madrid was spotty at best, and he has not become the successful club player many had hoped at the time. It will be fascinating to watch if he can still contribute at a high level for Colombia or if other players overtake him as the regular creative provider in this side.

45 mins to kickoff: One player who won't be available for the United States in this match, and may cruelly miss out on the Copa America is striker Josh Sargent. The Norwich City striker has been white-hot this season, returning to international relevance with blistering goal scoring form at the club level.

Unfortunately, he's seen his chances to contribute on the international stage scuppered by injuries, missing out in the fall due to an ankle injury and now possibly seeing his chance at a Copa America spot ruined as well. We'll see if he can recover in time, but Gregg Berhalter did leave open the possibility that he could miss out.

1 hour to kickoff: Lineups are in. Joe Scally has his chance to prove he can lock down the right-back spot in Sergino Dest's absence, while Johnny Cardoso gets a surprise start in midfield with Yunus Musah and Tyler Adams both on the bench.

For Colombia, James Rodriguez does start, while Rafael Santos Borre mans the striker role.

1 hour 15 mins to kick: The construction of the USMNT attacking unit will at least partially hinge on how Gregg Berhalter handles the right-back situation. If Tim Weah is kept at right wing, there might not be place for in-form Haji Wright, who Berhalter indicated will play more winger than striker in the near future.

However, if Weah is dropped back to the defensive line, Wright could be installed at left wing, with Christian Pulisic moved over to the right. Gio Reyna could also be an option to take over on the right if Weah is dropped back, but Berhalter may wish to avoid moving too many players from their best positions, creating more issues in order to solve just one problem.

You can read more about how Haji Wright will be used at the Copa America by clicking here.

1 hour 30 mins to kick: The biggest question for the U.S. men heading into the Copa America is how they will replace injured right-back Sergino Dest. None of the options are inspiring, but we will get an idea of what Gregg Berhalter is thinking in this match.

Berhalter told the media in his pre-match press conference that they will trial multiple options in these two friendlies against Colombia and Brazil, confirming that natural right-back Joe Scally will get a chance, but that they will "take it game-by-game and opponent by opponent" both in the friendlies and throughout the Copa America.

Scally has not been very good in recent USMNT appearances and had a rocky club season with Gladbach, so it's possible Tim Weah could be moved back or another option given a look. Sounds like the situation will be quite fluid.

1 hour 45 mins to kick: Another player who looked to walk back the narrative and put renewed importance on the results this summer is veteran defender Tim Ream, who at 36 years old remains a strong candidate to start matches for the USMNT this summer.

Ream told SiriusXM FC that regardless of the overarching push towards 2026, the goal this summer is to win the Copa America. He boldly proclaimed, "if you're not going to try and win the whole thing, just don't even show up." Strong words from the host nation.

2 hours to kickoff: Throughout this entire summer camp, both USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter and his players have all been consistent in their message that a strong Copa America performance is not a standalone goal for U.S. Soccer, but instead a means to continue building towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Amidst questions asking whether that mindset minimized the Copa America results too much, Berhalter looked to put that prevalent theme in context heading into this game. 

USA vs. Colombia pre-match facts, figures

  • Colombia are in the midst of a 21-match unbeaten streak that dates to early 2022, following a 1-0 defeat to Argentina in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying.
  • In 21 all-time meetings against Colombia, the U.S. men have won just three times, the last being a 3-0 friendly win in 2005. Since that victory, the United States have failed to win in any of their last seven against Colombia.
  • Argentina head coach Nestor Lorenzo has not been beaten in any of his 18 games in charge of Colombia, installed in the aftermath of their failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

USA vs. Colombia lineups, team news

There is one injury concern for the United States as Josh Sargent is still nursing his foot injury from the end of the club season with Norwich City. Gregg Berhalter confirmed he will not be available for today's match, and his availability for the Copa America may be in question.

The biggest question mark for Berhalter heading into this competition is who will replace injured Sergino Dest at right-back. Joe Scally is the best option from a like-for-like perspective, but Scally has struggled at times in a USMNT shirt. He will almost surely be given a chance to earn the role in one of the two pre-match friendlies, but there are other options, including playing Tim Weah at right-back.

While there will be some experimentation at a few positions in these warmup friendlies, Berhatler will almost surely avoid experimentation in other areas, preferring to get his starters time to gel before the competition itself begins.

USA starting lineup (4-3-3): Turner (GK) — Scally, Richards, Ream, A. Robinson — Musah, Reyna, McKennie — Weah, Balogun, Pulisic.

USA subs (15): Horvath (GK), Johnson (GK), Carter-Vickers, M. Robinson, McKenzie, Moore, Lund, T. Adams, de la Torre, Musah, T. Tillman, M. Tillman, Aaronson, Wright, Pepi.

A choice between veteran goalkeepers David Ospina and Camilo Vargas will likely result in the latter being given the nod, as he's been the starter through Ospina's lengthy injury absence.

Famed forward James Rodriguez has declined at 32 years old and may not be a locked-in starter for the Copa America. He has completed only two full 90-minute performances for Colombia since the start of 2022, with 12 starts and four substitute appearances in 24 matches throughout that time. Rodriguez has been dealing with a muscle injury of late, so he could be an option off the bench in this match to keep him fit.

Liverpool star Luis Diaz is, however, a regular in the national team side now. He has just four goals and three assists for the national team since the start of 2022, but two of the goals came in the famous 2-1 win over Brazil in World Cup qualifying last November.

Colombia starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Vargas (GK) — Munoz, D. Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica — Uribe, Lerma — J. Arias, J. Rodriguez, Diaz — Borre.

Colombia subs (15): Ospina (GK), Montero (GK), Cuesta, S. Arias, Castano, Rios, Carrascal, Borja, Mina, Quintero, Asprilla, Cordoba, Machado, Sinisterra, Duran.

How to watch USA vs. Colombia

  • Date: Saturday, June 8, 2024
  • Time: 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT
  • English:
    • TV: TNT
    • Streaming: Sling, Max
  • Spanish:
    • TV: Universo
    • Streaming: Fubo

WATCH USMNT vs. COLOMBIA LIVE ON SLING TV

The match between the United States and Colombia will be broadcast domestically on TNT, who have the rights to U.S. Soccer matches not affiliated with any competitive environment, usually friendlies. TNT is available to stream on Sling.

There is also a Spanish-language broadcast on Universo, which can be streamed on Fubo, who are offering a free trial for new users.

Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.