Klinsmann starts 8 World Cup veterans in Copa America opener

HollywoodLifers, do you think the US will get their Copa America campaign off to a flying start? The defense was ushering the ball out of risky areas and not allowing Colombia’s quick front line to run in behind them.

The only U.S. chance went begging was a 36th-minute run and shot from Clint Dempsey, whose curling effort whistled just past Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina’s upright.

Colombia has been the better team so far on Friday and look to continue to punish the American side that has been weak defensively so far.

Seconds earlier defender Geoff Cameron had done a nice job breaking up a unsafe play, stepping in front of a Colombian attacker and pushing the ball over the end line. United States captain Michael Bradley gave the ball away in a bad position, and a cross sent in by Colombia shortly after found the hand of DeAndre Yedlin, who was called for a controversial PK.

Rodriguez came down hard on his left shoulder in the second half after tripping over USA captain Michael Bradley, and Rodriguez exited in the 73rd minute.

But even though there is still a good shot the US can get out of the group, Klinsmann’s goal of a top four finish is pretty much dead.

“It is unfortunate that we have lost poorly in the match”.

David Ospina will start in goal for the Colombians. “But it is what it is, you can not change it anymore”, said Klinsmann, who considered “we were absolutely even” aside from two hard-luck goals. “Obviously when you open up against them, you risk a counter break here and there, which is their strength”. “I’ll take responsibility. I know I could have done better”.

US captain Michael Bradley will face intense criticism for his sub-par outing. The AC Milan man got on the end of the corner and beat Brad Guzan for the first goal of the tournament.

What happens if the US wins?

The U.S. squad, however, committed an elementary blunder in the 41st minute, when a pass from Farid Diaz struck defender DeAndre Yedlin’s right hand in the area.

Clearly, Dempsey disagreed with the penalty call, saying it changed the game. The Americans were unsettled by Colombia’s swift counter-attacks and were also thrown into disarray during the set-piece situations. One stretch of play saw Colombia knock the ball around at will, leaving the Americans chasing shadows.

The U.S. needed a standout performance from its captain on Friday, but while Bradley’s effort was there, his precision was missing throughout. It was no problem at all when they went 1-0 up. “Obviously then the penalty right before halftime made the game that much more hard”. It was typical of Bradley on the night, and typical of how he has fared in tournaments over his career.

The United States held possession in the first half, but Colombia was more dynamic.

The US.well, they’re what they are, aren’t they? the name Jurgen Klinsmann is as freighted to fans of the US team as the name Arsene Wenger is to Arsenal fans; there’s no such thing as a rational debate about Klinsmann these days, because everyone has hardened their opinions into intractable narratives at this point. His status going forward is unknown.

Clint Dempsey played like a player who wanted to win, and who was good enough to play on either team, but unfortunately for him, there weren’t enough of his teammates playing on that level on Friday night.

Colombia were involved in just one friendly in their build up for this summer’s tournament.

“Clint was a warrior out there”.

What happens if the USA doesn’t win?

Meanwhile after their first win in this year’s Copa America 2016, Colombia will move into the next match with momentum when they will play Paraguay in their next match. He elected not to start the future of US soccer, 17-year-old Christian Pulisic, who plays in Germany for Borussia Dortmund and scored in last week’s 4-0 friendly against Bolivia.

The U.S. had their chances, but were unable to find finishing quality in the final third.

The second goal could have been described as buzzkill for American fans.

You can start with the defense, which held its own in the run of play against a very risky Colombia side.

Jose Pekerman’s side showed no signs of jitters as they claimed an early lead when Cristian Zapata volleyed home from an Edwin Cardona cross. That was the game where Colombia defender Andres Escobar scored an infamous own goal when he unintentionally kicked John Harkes’ cross into the net. Youngsters Christian Pulisic and Darlington Nagbe were among the players that have given Jurgen Klinsmann plenty to think about when picking his starting XI for the opener.