The United States men begin their run-up to the 2024 Copa America with an international friendly of the utmost importance against Colombia on Saturday just outside the nation’s capital.
Gregg Berhalter and the USMNT players insist that building toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup is the ultimate goal, but this summer will feature a heavy focus on results over process knowing they must learn how to win against top teams regardless of how it comes to pass.
With friendlies against Colombia and Brazil as their pair of warm-up matches before the Copa America begins July 19, it will be of the utmost importance to put in a quality shift against a pair of top national teams.
Colombia will present a monumental challenge, on a 21-game unbeaten streak that dates back to before their failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. They have reversed their fortunes entirely under head coach Nestor Lorenzo, who has brought renewed life to a floundering national team side, including a win over Brazil in World Cup qualifying plus a recent victory over Spain in a friendly earlier this year.
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 scorersUSA0–Colombia2J. Arias (6′),
Borre (19′)
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, 5. A. Robinson — 15. Johnny, 7. Reyna, 8. McKennie — 21. Weah, 20. Balogun, 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, 10. J. Rodriguez, 7. Diaz — 19. Borre.
USA vs. Colombia live updates, highlights, commentary
USA vs. Colombia statsUSAStat (HT)Colombia6Shots81Shots on target249%Possession51%234Passes2441Corners14Fouls60Yellow cards0USA vs. Colombia: Second half
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.
Keep battling. pic.twitter.com/4FSWPSan4Z
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) June 8, 2024HALFTIME: 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!
Jedi + CP10 knocking ✊ pic.twitter.com/xygCRvxo87
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) June 8, 2024
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.
Rafael Santos Borré doubles Colombia’s lead in 𝐒𝐓𝐘𝐋𝐄 🚲
Watch USA vs. Colombia on TNT, Max or truTV 📺 pic.twitter.com/qGD7nqfDys
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 8, 2024
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.
Balo slips in, and nearly levels 😳 pic.twitter.com/HTgxFrTklA
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) June 8, 2024
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.
It only took Colombia five minutes ⚡
Watch USA vs. Colombia on TNT, Max or truTV 📺 pic.twitter.com/qCblrBuVqz
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 8, 2024
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.
“We have an opportunity to do something special.”
— Tyler Adams on the summer ahead pic.twitter.com/XeBPkPMyrY
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) June 8, 2024
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.
Johnny Soccer 🔒-in. pic.twitter.com/FrWVFNvI3M
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) June 8, 2024
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.
A decade on from James Rodriguez winning the World Cup golden boot, he’s looking for a club again.
Colombia’s No 10 has lost his way, but he’s still capable of turning it on for his country. The Copa America could be much more than a shop window for him:https://t.co/yC2GHkGcBC
— Stuart James (@stujames75) May 29, 2024
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.
Berhalter confirms that Josh Sargent is OUT for the Colombia game. His status for Brazil and availability for Copa América is uncertain.
Also added that if Sargent can’t recover, one option is to make him the lone cut and leave the 26 available as of today as his Copa 26.
— Michele Giannone (@MicheleG3) June 7, 2024
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.
11 – For the first time in team history, all 11 #USMNT starters are playing for clubs in the top 5 European leagues at the time of the match. Elite. pic.twitter.com/pq1Sjxu6Fg
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) June 8, 2024
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.
How would you rank the four #USMNT 9’s heading into Copa America? 🇺🇸 #FutbolAmericas
FWD:
Haji Wright
Josh Sargent
Folarin Balogun
Ricardo Pepi pic.twitter.com/tMZCLnYUOW
— herculez gomez (@herculezg) May 21, 2024
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.
Gregg Berhalter says they will “try different looks” with regards to the #USMNT right-back situation. They will “give the natural right-backs a chance” but will also “take it game-by-game and opponent by opponent.”
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) June 7, 2024
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.
“If you’re not going to try win the whole thing, then just don’t even show up.”
The goal at Copa America is clear for @USMNT Defender Tim Ream 💪 pic.twitter.com/tTlgGIqoax
— SiriusXM FC (@SiriusXMFC) June 8, 2024
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.
Berhalter says “the Copa America is essential to the growth of this team” with regards to building towards the 2026 World Cup.
Lotta players have repeated the Copa isn’t the end-all be-all, but the build towards 2026 is the ultimate goal. So this was a bit of pushback to that
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) June 7, 2024
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, 2024Time: 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PTEnglish:TV: TNTStreaming: Sling, MaxSpanish:TV: UniversoStreaming: Fubo
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.