USA vs. Colombia: 2016 Copa America 3rd-Place Match TV Schedule, Live Stream
The USA and Colombia will contest the 2016 Copa America's third-place play-off on Saturday after falling to Argentina and Chile, respectively, in the semi-finals.
Jurgen Klinsmann's side will be hoping to recoup some pride after their 4-0 dismantling by La Albiceleste on Tuesday, while Los Cafeteros will look to record their highest finish at the tournament since winning it on home soil in 2001.
Like the final between Argentina and Chile, the play-off will be a replay of the pair's opening match in the competition—which Colombia won 2-0.
Read on for a closer look at the upcoming game, but first here are the viewing details you need to ensure you don't miss any of the action:
Date: Saturday, June 25
Time: 8 p.m. ET/1 a.m. BST
Venue: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
TV: FX (USA), Premier Sports (UK)
Live Stream: Fox Soccer 2Go (USA), Premier Sports (UK)
Preview
Though perhaps few would have given the United States a significant chance of reaching the final four—many might have expected Brazil, Uruguay or even Mexico to be contending a semi-final place ahead of them—they'll still feel the need to salvage what pride they can after such a heavy defeat.
Indeed, while Argentina winning was to be expected, the USA's complete failure to turn up makes the result particularly disappointing.
Klinsmann's men were level with La Albiceleste for just three minutes before their goal was breached, per the Copa America:
Lionel Messi followed that up with an incredible free-kick, and Gonzalo Higuain netted twice in the second half as Argentina tore through the U.S. time and again.
As OptaJack revealed, the USA offered absolutely nothing in return:
According to ESPN FC's Doug McIntyre, Klinsmann gave his take on the one-sided performance:
"You saw tonight why they are the No. 1 team in the world. We just simply hit a far better team tonight.
Once they have a lead, they're not giving that lead away. They know exactly how to organize themselves behind the ball quickly. They pressure high right away when you are in possession of the ball—that's why we pretty much didn't have any chance to score.
I think it had to do a bit with the early goal. That early goal, I think our players could just feel that, probably in every position on the field, they're just better than we are.
"
Fox Sports' Grant Wahl was particularly critical of what he saw:
For the U.S. to go some way toward closing that gap, they'll need to overcome a Colombia side who've already beaten them at this tournament.
Amid torrid weather, they slipped to a 2-0 defeat to defending champions Chile, who have thoroughly impressed in the competition after losing their opening match.
With players such as James Rodriguez and Carlos Bacca, Colombia boast quality in attack. However, as they demonstrated against Chile, Los Cafeteros have struggled to show a killer instinct at times, per ESPN's Tom Marshall:
They had enough class to edge out the USA in their opening match, but since then the Americans have looked much more resolute defensively—their last match aside.
Colombia will also provide their opponents with more opportunities than Argentina did. Football writer Rupert Fryer noted their weakness at the back against Chile:
If Klinsmann can get his players—particularly the likes of Gyasi Zardes or Christian Pulisic, if the German is bold enough to hand the latter a start—running in behind the Colombian defence, the Americans can cause their opponents some real problems.
Ultimately, finishing third or fourth in major tournaments means relatively little—the main achievement is having reached the semi-finals. On home soil and on the back of a fairly humiliating defeat, the USA have more incentive to win on Saturday.
The opportunity is there for the taking, but Klinsmann will need to prepare and select his players accordingly if they're to grab it.
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