Player ratings
Player Ratings: USMNT overwhelmed by Colombia in 4-2 loss
The USMNT lost to Colombia 4-2 on Thursday night and the game was yet another important lesson for a young U.S. team trying to rebuild. ASN's Isaac Heath here to tell you how the players performed against the superior opponent
AFTER A SLOW start that saw Colombia control the majority of the game, the US bounced back nicely early in the second half showing life on the counter attack and took a 2-1 lead. In the end, the US struggled to keep pace with a strong Colombian side and ultimately were outclassed the final 35 minutes en route to a 4-2 loss.
On a night where the midfield missed Tyler Adams, Christian Pulisic, and Weston Mckennie, the US showed a few promising moments, but ultimately their youth and inexperience was exposed. Colombia abused the right side of the field all night giving Kenny Saief and Antonee Robinson nightmares. Whoever takes over the helm will have their work cut out for them.
Zack Steffen - Steffen was forced in to action a ton tonight and all in all did well. Came out nicely to cut off a ball destined for James at the back post from Cuadrado early in the first half. Could do nothing on the brilliant strike from James Rodriguez, and did well to keep the game 1-0 before half. In the second half again could not do too much on any of the goals. Got a hand on the side kick volley goal from Colombia but couldn't keep the ball out. Rating: 6
John Brooks - Got crossed up with Antonee Robinson early and that mishap nearly led to an early Colombian goal. As always solid in the area on balls crossed in, but unable to deal with James Rodriguez in tight spaces on a few of the Colombian goals. Rating: 4.5
Matt Miazga - Was solid for stretches of the game and his goal line save kept the game at 1-0 near the end of the first half. While he was put in a difficult position by Robinson getting beat on the wing, Miazga was fooled by Baca on the near post on Colombia's second goal. Rating: 5.5
Antonee Robinson - An up and down night for Robinson once again. He was always a dangerous option going forward and set up Julian Green for an early strike on goal. The young defender found himself out of position too often on the defensive end. He and Saief couldn't contain both James and Cuadrado on James' first half goal. He hit a nice cross to the back post that Acosta put away for the US goal early in the second half. Then got caught flat footed and beat on a nice through ball on Colombia's second goal. Later he couldn't win the 50/50 ball against Baca after a clearance by Colombia and it proved fatal as the South American side capitalized. He is dangerous going forward, but still too much of a defensive liability. Subbed off for Ben Sweat in the 75th minute. Rating: 4
DeAndre Yedlin - Colombia mostly attacked down the right side so Yedlin didn't have as much pressure. Dangerous on a few plays getting forward, but opportunities on the ball were few for the right back particularly in the first half. Was able to make a few dangerous runs and crosses in the second half. Overall a solid performance from Yedlin. Rating: 6
Kellyn Acosta - When he got the ball on his feet he often did well connecting from the center midfield role. Problem was, he didn't get the ball very often. Made an excellent run forward early in the second half and capped off the run with a great one time finish on the Robinson cross. Rating: 6.5
Michael Bradley - Asked to play a defensive role in the midfield ahead of the back line, the veteran was solid at clogging passing lanes in the middle of the field. His first half tackle on James in the midfield sparked a counter that saw Yedlin nearly find Bobby Wood on the back post. Overall he did a solid job distributing the ball as well. Rating: 6
Julian Green - Had a great attempt towards goal early after receiving a pass from Robinson outside the box. Overall did not create enough opportunities going forward and like the rest of the midfield, did not do a very good job of keeping possession. His effort to win the ball in the midfield sprung Weah forward and led to Bobby Wood's goal. After that moment, he and the midfield largely disappeared though. Rating: 5.5
Kenny Saief - Brough some with his energy and creativity. Still lacked a little sharpness and connectivity in the final third though. He and Robinson were asked to get forward often so both struggled at times to find the right shape defensively after a giveaway. Should have done better and turned James outside instead of letting him turn towards goal in on Colombia's first goal. Subbed off after 57 minutes. Rating: 4
Tim Weah - Did not see much of the ball during his time in the game. Took risks, but they often did not pay off. He had a few dangerous runs, but overall was unable to keep the ball enough. In the second half played an excellent ball between defenders to find Bobby Wood for a first time finish to put the US up. Did much better getting involved in the second half before being subbed off in the 67th minute. Rating: 6
Bobby Wood - Did not see much of the ball at all as the lone striker. A few times connected well the midfield, but was starved for service most of the night. Broke through in the second half on the break on a great ball from Tim Weah and put the ball in the lower right hand corner for an excellent goal. Rating: 6
Fafa Picault - The Philadelphia Union debutant never made much of an impact in his 40 minutes on the field. Outside of an early cross, he hardly touched the ball until missing a great opportunity on a ball from Josh Sargent late. Rating: 4.5
Marky Delgado - Looked good on the ball when he had it, but did not really get in the flow too much. Was unable to help the US regain any possession. Rating: 4.5
Ben Sweat - In 20 minutes was unable to show too much. Rating: NA
Andrija Novakovich: the Wisconsin native played the final 10 minutes for his third cap. Rating: NA
Josh Sargent - Came in for the last 9 minutes made one really nice run and set up Picault nicely. Rating: NA
On a night where the midfield missed Tyler Adams, Christian Pulisic, and Weston Mckennie, the US showed a few promising moments, but ultimately their youth and inexperience was exposed. Colombia abused the right side of the field all night giving Kenny Saief and Antonee Robinson nightmares. Whoever takes over the helm will have their work cut out for them.
The Starting Lineup
Zack Steffen - Steffen was forced in to action a ton tonight and all in all did well. Came out nicely to cut off a ball destined for James at the back post from Cuadrado early in the first half. Could do nothing on the brilliant strike from James Rodriguez, and did well to keep the game 1-0 before half. In the second half again could not do too much on any of the goals. Got a hand on the side kick volley goal from Colombia but couldn't keep the ball out. Rating: 6
John Brooks - Got crossed up with Antonee Robinson early and that mishap nearly led to an early Colombian goal. As always solid in the area on balls crossed in, but unable to deal with James Rodriguez in tight spaces on a few of the Colombian goals. Rating: 4.5
Matt Miazga - Was solid for stretches of the game and his goal line save kept the game at 1-0 near the end of the first half. While he was put in a difficult position by Robinson getting beat on the wing, Miazga was fooled by Baca on the near post on Colombia's second goal. Rating: 5.5
Antonee Robinson - An up and down night for Robinson once again. He was always a dangerous option going forward and set up Julian Green for an early strike on goal. The young defender found himself out of position too often on the defensive end. He and Saief couldn't contain both James and Cuadrado on James' first half goal. He hit a nice cross to the back post that Acosta put away for the US goal early in the second half. Then got caught flat footed and beat on a nice through ball on Colombia's second goal. Later he couldn't win the 50/50 ball against Baca after a clearance by Colombia and it proved fatal as the South American side capitalized. He is dangerous going forward, but still too much of a defensive liability. Subbed off for Ben Sweat in the 75th minute. Rating: 4
DeAndre Yedlin - Colombia mostly attacked down the right side so Yedlin didn't have as much pressure. Dangerous on a few plays getting forward, but opportunities on the ball were few for the right back particularly in the first half. Was able to make a few dangerous runs and crosses in the second half. Overall a solid performance from Yedlin. Rating: 6
Kellyn Acosta - When he got the ball on his feet he often did well connecting from the center midfield role. Problem was, he didn't get the ball very often. Made an excellent run forward early in the second half and capped off the run with a great one time finish on the Robinson cross. Rating: 6.5
Michael Bradley - Asked to play a defensive role in the midfield ahead of the back line, the veteran was solid at clogging passing lanes in the middle of the field. His first half tackle on James in the midfield sparked a counter that saw Yedlin nearly find Bobby Wood on the back post. Overall he did a solid job distributing the ball as well. Rating: 6
Julian Green - Had a great attempt towards goal early after receiving a pass from Robinson outside the box. Overall did not create enough opportunities going forward and like the rest of the midfield, did not do a very good job of keeping possession. His effort to win the ball in the midfield sprung Weah forward and led to Bobby Wood's goal. After that moment, he and the midfield largely disappeared though. Rating: 5.5
Kenny Saief - Brough some with his energy and creativity. Still lacked a little sharpness and connectivity in the final third though. He and Robinson were asked to get forward often so both struggled at times to find the right shape defensively after a giveaway. Should have done better and turned James outside instead of letting him turn towards goal in on Colombia's first goal. Subbed off after 57 minutes. Rating: 4
Tim Weah - Did not see much of the ball during his time in the game. Took risks, but they often did not pay off. He had a few dangerous runs, but overall was unable to keep the ball enough. In the second half played an excellent ball between defenders to find Bobby Wood for a first time finish to put the US up. Did much better getting involved in the second half before being subbed off in the 67th minute. Rating: 6
Bobby Wood - Did not see much of the ball at all as the lone striker. A few times connected well the midfield, but was starved for service most of the night. Broke through in the second half on the break on a great ball from Tim Weah and put the ball in the lower right hand corner for an excellent goal. Rating: 6
Substitutes
Fafa Picault - The Philadelphia Union debutant never made much of an impact in his 40 minutes on the field. Outside of an early cross, he hardly touched the ball until missing a great opportunity on a ball from Josh Sargent late. Rating: 4.5
Marky Delgado - Looked good on the ball when he had it, but did not really get in the flow too much. Was unable to help the US regain any possession. Rating: 4.5
Ben Sweat - In 20 minutes was unable to show too much. Rating: NA
Andrija Novakovich: the Wisconsin native played the final 10 minutes for his third cap. Rating: NA
Josh Sargent - Came in for the last 9 minutes made one really nice run and set up Picault nicely. Rating: NA
