USA vs. Colombia: Score, Reaction from 2016 Copa America

Colombia kicked off the 2016 Copa America by completely stifling the United States in a 2-0 victory at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Colombia scored both goals in the first half, starting with Cristian Zapata's corner-kick conversion in the eighth minute, via Fox Soccer:

Colombia remained ahead 1-0 for most of the first half, though the United States was often controlling the ball. The Americans struggled to create chances for themselves, not registering their first shot on goal until the 60th minute. 

That's when Clint Dempsey nearly headed home a pass from Michael Bradley. Colombia kept a defender right by the post to prevent the ball from going in.

Dempsey had another excellent chance to get the U.S. on the board on a free kick moments later that nearly found the right corner of the net, but Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina made a diving save. 

Those were the Americans' only two shots on goal out of 12 total attempts in the game. 

There were no such problems for Colombia, who finished with seven shots on goal in 13 total attempts. James Rodriguez doubled the lead in the 42nd minute on a penalty kick after DeAndre Yedlin was called for a handball, via MLS on Twitter:

It's hardly a surprise to anyone who has watched Colombia play at any point in the last two years that Rodriguez found a way to get in on the action, per ESPN FC:

Colombia did receive an injury scare in the second half with Rodriguez, per Will Carroll:

Tensions and frustrations began to run high for the U.S. early in the second half. John Brooks made an excellent tackle on Juan Cuadrado but was seen shouting at the Colombian winger on the ground after he was called for a foul. 

Adam Gold of 99.9 The Fan did take a liking to Brooks following the play:

That moment did not light a fire under the United States, however. Dempsey's two looks at the goal did occur after the play, but the U.S. rarely looked threatening otherwise. 

Ives Galarcep of SBI Soccer noted Colombia was fortunate to avoid getting a yellow card:

Colombia did get called for more fouls than the United States, 14-12, but Alejandro Bedoya received the only yellow card of the match in the 57th minute. 

Even though the U.S. has traditionally struggled against Colombia, owning a 3-10-4 record in 17 games before Friday, this was the tournament in which the team seemed to have realistic optimism. The Americans won their three tune-up matches before the Copa America, and everyone seemed to be in peak condition. 

Yet there were the questionable motivation tactics of Jurgen Klinsmann in an interview with Matthew Futterman of the Wall Street Journal: "That talent is not there yet when it comes to the national team, when it gets to big tournaments, when it gets serious. Whatever path they took the last two years, we’ve got to make it clear to them you’ve got to do more."

Klinsmann has never been shy about offering an assessment of where his roster is at, but it's never good when the head coach says before a tournament the talent is not there since he's the one making the roster. 

B/R UK summed up everything that came of Klinsmann and Co. on Friday night:

Mike L. Goodman of ESPN FC did not take such a strong anti-U.S. stance after the loss, despite acknowledging things need to improve moving forward:

The U.S. may have thought things were turning around after defeating Puerto Rico, Ecuador and Bolivia in a week leading into the Copa America. It turns out there is still a lot of work for the team to do heading into Chicago against Costa Rica on Tuesday. 

Colombia deserves credit for the win. The team found openings and took advantage early, proving why it looks like the favorite to win Pool A. It didn't stop attacking, even after gaining the lead, and made the U.S. look out of sorts from the beginning.