Soccer friendlies are largely free of consequence, untethered from continental and global competitions that end up rendering clear — and often harsh — judgment on national teams.
But friendlies such as the U.S. men’s national team clash with Colombia on Saturday at Commanders Field in Landover are also bellwethers. With its Copa América opener about two weeks away, Gregg Berhalter’s bunch will seek to find focus and form against not just the highflying Colombians but five-time world champion Brazil on Wednesday in Orlando.
And as these friendlies might portend performance at Copa América, Copa América, in turn, promises to reveal early signs of what to expect from the U.