The U.S. national team begins its preparations for the 2024 Copa America with a pivotal international friendly on the outskirts of the Colombian capital on Saturday.
Coach Gregg Berhalter and the U.S. men’s national team players insist their ultimate goal is to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but they will likely be more focused on results than process this summer, knowing they have to learn how to beat top teams no matter what the outcome.
With friendlies against Colombia and Brazil coming up as warm-up matches before the Copa America kicks off on July 19, it will be paramount that the team shows a high level of performance against two top national teams.
Colombia will be poised to mount a major challenge, boasting an unbeaten record in 21 games since failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. They have completely reversed their fortunes under coach Néstor Lourenzo, who has reinvigorated a struggling national team with wins over Brazil in a World Cup qualifier and a friendly win over Spain earlier this year.
Sporting News will be following the USA vs. Colombia match live, providing real-time score updates, commentary and highlights.
USA vs Colombia live score
| Score | Goalscorer | |
| united states of america | – | – |
| Columbia | – | – |
Kickoff: 5:37pm ET / 2:37pm PT
Location: Commander’s Field, Landover, Maryland
Starting lineup (projected):
USA (4-3-3, right to left): Turner (GK) — Scali, Richards, Ream, A.Robinson — Musa, Reina, McKennie — Weir, Balogun, Pulisic.
Colombia (4-2-3-1, right to left): Vargas (GK) — Muñoz, Cuesta, Lucumi, Mojica — Castano, Lerma — Arias, Carrascal, Diaz — Duran
USA vs. Colombia Live updates, highlights and commentary
1 hour 45 minutes until kick-off: Another player who has upended conventional wisdom this summer and placed new importance on results is veteran defender Tim Ream, who, at 36 years old, remains a strong candidate to start in USMNT games this summer.
Liam told SiriusXM FC: He said his goal this summer was to win the Copa America, regardless of the overall effort towards 2026. “If we’re not going to try to win it, then we don’t even have to play,” he declared boldly – some strong words from the host country.
“If you don’t intend to win, then don’t even bother participating.”
The Copa America goal is clear USA Defender Tim Ream 💪 pic.twitter.com/tTlgGIqoax
— SiriusXM FC (@SiriusXMFC) June 8, 2024
2 hours left until kickoff: Throughout this summer camp, U.S. Men’s National Team coach Gregg Berhalter and his players have consistently communicated the message that performing well in the Copa America is not a standalone goal for U.S. Soccer, but rather a means to continue preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Amid growing questions about whether this mentality is underestimating the Copa America result, Berhalter tried to put that general theme in context heading into the match.
“The Copa America is essential to the development of this team” ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Berhalter said.
Many players have reiterated that it’s not all about the Copa, but preparing for 2026 is the ultimate goal, so this was a bit of a backlash against that.
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) June 7, 2024
USA vs. Colombia Pre-match facts and figures
- Colombia is on a 21-game unbeaten streak since the start of 2022, following a 1-0 loss to Argentina in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers.
- The U.S. has won just three of the 21 matches they have played against Colombia, the last of which was a 3-0 win in a friendly in 2005. Since then, the U.S. has not won any of its past seven meetings with Colombia.
- Argentina coach Nestor Lourenzo took over as Colombia manager after the team’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and is yet to lose in 18 games.
USA vs. Colombia Lineups, team news
In the United States, there is one injury concern. Josh Sargent He is still nursing a foot injury sustained towards the end of his club’s season with Norwich City, and manager Gregg Berhalter confirmed he will miss today’s game, with his availability for the Copa America also in doubt.
The biggest question for Berhalter heading into the tournament will be who will replace the injured Sergino Dest at right back. Joe Scali From an equal perspective, Scully is the best option, but he has struggled at times when in a USMNT uniform. It’s almost certain that Scully will be given a chance to earn the role in one of the two pre-match friendlies, but there are other options. Tim Weir At right back.
These warm-up friendlies will likely see some experimentation in some positions, but Berghatler will almost certainly avoid experimentation in other areas, wanting to give his starters time to settle in before the matches themselves begin.
USA’s predicted starting lineup (4-3-3): Turner (GK) — Scali, Richards, Ream, A.Robinson — Musa, Reina, McKennie — Weir, Balogun, Pulisic.
American submarines (9) (Lineup will be announced one hour before kickoff)
Veteran goalkeeper selection David Ospina and Camilo Vargas The latter will likely be the one to be used, as he has been a starter during Ospina’s long-term injury absence.
Renowned forward James Rodriguez At 32 years old, he is showing signs of decline and may not be guaranteed a start in the Copa America. He has only played the full 90 minutes twice for Colombia since the start of 2022, starting 12 times and coming on as a substitute four times in 24 games during that time. Rodriguez has been bothered by a muscle injury recently and may be an option on the bench for this game to maintain his fitness.
Liverpool star Luis Diaz But he is now a regular in the national team, having only scored four goals and provided three assists for the national team so far in 2022, with two of those goals coming in a famous 2-1 win over Brazil in World Cup qualifiers last November.
Colombia’s predicted starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Vargas (GK) — Muñoz, Cuesta, Lucumi, Mojica — Castano, Lerma — Arias, Carrascal, Diaz — Duran
Colombia Substitutes (9) (Lineup will be announced one hour before kickoff)
How to watch the USA vs. Colombia match
- date: Saturday, June 8, 2024
- time: 4:30 PM ET/1:30 PM PST
- English:
- tv set: TNTNT
- Streaming: Sling, Max
- Spanish:
- tv set: Universo
- Streaming: Fubo
The USA-Colombia match will be broadcast domestically on TNT, which owns the rights to U.S. soccer matches (usually friendlies). TNT will stream on Sling.
Universo also has a Spanish-language broadcast that is available to stream on Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.
