Gregg Berhalter’s United States men’s national team received a wake-up call on Saturday with a pathetic 5-1 defeat to Colombia in a friendly. If the USMNT play like this in Copa América this summer, it could be a very short tournament.
The USMNT were simply outclassed against a South American side that entered the game on a 21-game unbeaten streak stretching back to February 2022. The opening 20 minutes illustrated the gulf in class between the two sides as Colombia had their way with the Americans.
USMNT vs Colombia highlights
A miscue in the back followed by a mess in the box on a corner kick saw the USMNT down 2-0 early.
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
Rafael Santos Borré doubles Colombia's lead in
Watch USA vs. Colombia on TNT, Max or truTV pic.twitter.com/qGD7nqfDys— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 8, 2024
Matt Turner looked exactly like a goalkeeper who has been riding the bench for most of the season. Beaten at his near post on the first goal and then letting in another that he should be saving.
Gradually the Americans grew into the game with a Christian Pulisic header being the closest they got to a first half goal.
¡¡PULISIC!!
Cabezazo del de Estados Unidos y el balón pega en el palo ❌@USMNT 0-2 ColombiaEN VIVO por @Telemundo y Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/6nc7awTXj6#USMNTtelemundo #FutbolUSA #USMNT pic.twitter.com/GzaVUmYu0I
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 8, 2024
The situation wasn’t great, however the Stars and Stripes were still in the contest after 45 minutes. Pulisic was substituted at the half to manage his minutes following the long Serie A season, but then Timothy Weah made it 2-1 after some beautiful combinations and a clever assist from Folarin Balogun.
TIM WEAH
Watch USA vs. Colombia on TNT, Max or truTV pic.twitter.com/6iGSDnfyPA— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 8, 2024
Game on, right? The boys are going to make a game out of this? We’re in for a thriller?
Nope. The USMNT gave up.
There’s no easy way to say it, but after conceding a third goal in the 77th minute the boys decided enough was enough and they shut it down.
Colombia’s third goal saw Johnny Cardoso carelessly lose possession in his own half and then no one marked Richard Ríos who had enough time to check the wind speed before slotting in Colombia’s third.
Richard Ríos calls game
Watch USA vs. Colombia on TNT, Max or truTV pic.twitter.com/fsQz7s56kS— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 8, 2024
Colombia piled it on with two more goals to rub salt into the gaping American wounds.
¡YA ES GOLEADA COLOMBIANA!
Jorge Carrascal la manda a guardar y define el cuarto para los cafetaleros @USMNT 1-4 ColombiaEN VIVO por @Telemundo y Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/6nc7awTXj6#USMNTtelemundo #FutbolUSA #USMNT pic.twitter.com/RgsDc5Cm41
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 8, 2024
Five (5) goals to one (1) pic.twitter.com/btdXdV6y8I
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 8, 2024
This was the first time the USMNT had conceded five goals on home soil in 15 years. Berhalter’s seat will be scorching this summer.
The USMNT head coach's response to the battering was that his players didn't do their jobs.
“The reason why I’m so disappointed is because guys just didn’t do their job.”
— Gregg Berhalter after the USMNT 5-1 loss to Colombia pic.twitter.com/DxeMVVHZOX— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) June 9, 2024
It’s no secret that the USMNT fans aren’t too high on Berhalter as head coach. He’s yet to record a signature win for the U.S.
The road only gets rougher with another friendly vs. Brazil on Wednesday. Another big loss paired with a poor performance at Copa América could see Berhalter’s tenure with the USMNT over before August.
