The USMNT faces a massive challenge to begin its Copa America preparations with an international friendly against in-form Colombia on Saturday in the nation’s capital.
Following a failure to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Colombia have been on a tear under new head coach Nelson Lozano, unbeaten in 21 straight matches dating back over two full years.
With a game against world power Brazil to follow next week and the start of the Copa America to come soon after, the time is now for the United States to put everything together and become a fully results-oriented side.
The most notable criticism of Gregg Berhalter’s tenure in charge of the United States has been an inability to beat the world’s top teams, most notably falling in the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup to the Netherlands. Fans will get a chance to see just what the United States men are made of over the next few weeks, starting now against one of the world’s most white-hot national sides.
USA vs. Colombia prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Draw (+210)
- Score prediction: USA 1-1 Colombia
This game is a huge test for the USMNT, and it’s surprising that Colombia aren’t favored in this match by a larger margin, with the two teams instead given almost equivalent moneyline odds.
Yet on home soil and in a friendly where the result isn’t of paramount importance, Berhalter should be able to engineer a result. The absence of Sergino Dest will make it difficult to deal with the danger of Luis Diaz, but both…
