The United States Men’s National Team’s commendable run in Copa America Centenario came to an end Tuesday with a 4-0 semifinal defeat to Lionel Messi an Argentina.
Sporting Kansas City winger Graham Zusi earned his first start of the tournament, playing 90 minutes and collecting his 40th cap before a sold-out crowd of 70,858 at NRG Stadium in Houston. His club teammate Matt Besler was an unused substitute as the U.S. conceded goals to Messi, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Gonzalo Higuain (two) in a one-sided affair.
The result sends the Americans to Saturday’s Third Place match at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, where they will meet the loser of Wednesday’s semifinal between Chile and Colombia.