Jurgen Klinsmann didn't get his wish.
The U.S. national team coach went into the semifinal against Argentina practically imploring his team to show no fear, and to take the game to the No. 1 ranked team in the world. As much as wins against Costa Rica, Paraguay and Ecuador had built confidence and momentum, none of those wins were the type of proactive attacking display against an elite national team that Klinsmann could use as evidence his team had taken a major step under his tutelage.
Two matches at the Copa America Centenario provided that opportunity, and the U.S. lost both by a combined 6-0 scoreline. Colombia scored early and never looked in danger of losing the tournament's opening match. The Americans enjoyed some possession, and created some half chances, which led Klinsmann and his team to go on about how close the game was, when it was about as superficially close as a 2-0 loss could be.
There was much less confusion about how terrible the U.S. showing was against Argentina. There were no spells of possession, or half chances. There were no chances, no shots on goal. No shots, and barely a pulse. There was only Argentina creating chances at will, dominating possession and passing the ball around with precision in a way Klinsmann could only dream his team could.
The only good thing about the Argentina loss was the fact the U.S. could chalk it up to Argentina's greatness, even if that didn't excuse just how intimidated the U.S. looked, and how lost for ideas the Americans were in the semifinal.
Winning Saturday's third-place match won't erase the memories of that awful showing, but it does offer the U.S. another chance to really show it can match up well with, and even beat, a world power. That means actually taking the game to Colombia from the start, and not being content with whatever scraps are left after the outcome has essentially been decided. That means starting strong and creating chances and stifling Colombia's attack, all while putting passes together and creating and converting chances.
The third-place match sets up well for the U.S. Colombia comes in on short rest, and is likely to rest several starters, while the Americans could very easily trot out the same lineup that started all three group stage matches. As much as many U.S. fans will be clamoring for some fresh blood in Saturday's squad, there is a very good chance Klinsmann will give his first-choice lineup another crack at the Cafeteros.
Why might things be different this time around? For starters, it became clear during the tournament that the personnel Klinsmann chose was better suited for a 4-4-2 than a 4-3-3, and using the right formation against Colombia could yield a more positive result. Several players, from Bobby Wood, to Clint Dempsey to Jermaine Jones, looked much more comfortable in the 4-4-2, so it would be a good bet we see it on Saturday.
What of fresh faces like 17-year-old Christian Pulisic and Darlington Nagbe? Neither has started a national team match before, but they have qualities that could make them fixtures in the future. Pulisic showed some flashes against Argentina that lead you to believe he just might be able to handle an increased national team role, while Nagbe has managed to look good in every substitute's appearance he has been given by Klinsmann. Despite that, Nagbe has remained out of the starting picture, and Klinsmann could see Saturday as a chance to let Nagbe and Pulisic show they are ready for more important roles when World Cup qualifying roles around.
Whether Klinsmann gives some younger options a look, or gives his group stage lineup one more shot at Colombia, whichever 11 takes the field in Phoenix must be ready to go on the attack and play like a team that believs it can win a game like that. We didn't see that in the first match against Colombia, and we certainly didn't see that against Argentina.
If the U.S. lays another egg against Colombia — and rest assured the Cafeteros have some dangerous bench options who are sure to make things difficult — this Copa America will be remembered far more for the three matches the Americans lost than the three matches they won.
Now, if the Americans can land the first blow on Saturday, and be proactive, and fearless, and creative, and all the things we failed to see against Argentina, then the U.S. will truly have something to build on heading into the rest of the year, and American fans will be able to call this Copa America a success.
- Goal