The United States men’s national team ended without a win from two January friendlies after a goalless draw with Colombia at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, on Saturday.
The United States had more opportunities, most of which came in an engaging first half, but failed to find a breakthrough against an inexperienced Colombian team that, like the Americans, was without European stars in the game. of the FIFA qualifiers.
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Now, having only scored 4 goals in the past 7 games, the lack of sharp attack continues to prove the biggest problem to solve for the United States as it begins to build towards co-hosting the World Cup next year. year 2026.
Interim coach Anthony Hudson chose to field a more experienced team in last Wednesday’s 2-1 loss Serbiawith all 5 players on the list for the 2022 World Cup being started.
However, there is still a lot of youth, including the debut for Paxten Aaronson and John Tolkin and a first start for DeJuan Jones. Aaronson’s presence means he and Leeds United‘S Brenden Aaronson became the eighth group of brothers to represent the United States at the senior level.
Colombia, meanwhile, fielded four players from the American Professional Football League in a squad with only one player capped more than five times.
Although several players on both sides are in pre-season, there was a lot of intensity in the first 45 minutes.
And, with both teams wanting to attack quickly in the transition, there were plenty of opportunities on both ends, even if the inaccuracies in the final third prevented anyone from capitalizing on them. labour.
Energetic Aaronson had two clear scoring opportunities, the first failing to buy enough money after a sixth-minute footwork that went straight into Colombia goalkeeper Alvaro Montero. Then a desperate save by the defender Andres Llinas deflected another Aaronson attempt in the target range.
“Paxten is a really exciting player, extremely confident. He is a day or two late but you can see his quality. We don’t know what his level will be, but We believe in his talent and will see what he can do,” Hudson said after the game.
Perhaps the best opening fell on the path of Matthew Hoppe. But with Paul Arriola begging for a square pass, Middlesbrough forward shot straight at the Colombian goalkeeper after being spotted Jesus Ferreira‘s piercing ball.
US defense still has a lot to think about on the other end, where LAFC‘Chicho Arango and Columbus’ Cucho Hernandez are looking to break into four all-MLS defenders. Colombia’s best opportunity in the first half fell to Yilmar Velazquez, but the midfielder sent a shot wide of target.
The chances proved to be higher after the first half. Walker Zimmerman header from a corner in a difficult chance while Ferreira, playing against his country of birth, was unable to make a long shot when he found an opening in the box.
However, with both sides making many changes as time went on, the second half became a more traditional January friendly with a slower tempo. Had USMNT debut from the bench for Emmanuel Sabbi and Samuel Rogers but the US could not find a goal to prove its efforts.
