SANTA CLARA, Calif. - There was little surprising in the United States' 2-0 loss to Colombia that opened the Copa América Centenario on Friday night.
Faced with the powerful attacking threat posed by Colombian stars James Rodriguez, Juan Cuadrado and Rafael Bacca, U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann opted for conservatism.
In the midfield, Kyle Beckerman provided an extra layer of defensive steel alongside Michael Bradley.
Clint Dempsey, whose natural role is a withdrawn forward, was asked to lead the line, with strikers Bobby Wood and Gyasi Zardes cast as wide men on either side of him.
Young playmakers Darlington Nagbe and Hershey native Christian Pulisic, meanwhile, were left on the bench until the latter stages of the second half.