The 48th edition of the Copa América is on the horizon, with the United States Men’s National Team playing two friendlies in preparation. The first scheduled opponent is Colombia, which should provide a stern test ahead of the competition. The 2001 champions are on the rebound following a disappointing World Cup cycle and have the talent to push the hosts. Landover, Maryland’s Commanders Field – a 65,000-seat American football stadium formerly known as FedExField with a GameOnGrass sod (“a style of natural Bermuda grass”) surface – is set to host. This is the 22nd all-time meeting between the two nations, with the USMNT holding a 3-13-5 record and playing to a scoreless draw in January of 2023. Ranked 12th internationally by FIFA, Colombia reacted strongly from the failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and is currently on a 21-match unbeaten streak dating back over two years. Los Cafeteros (The Coffee Growers) currently sit at third place in CONMEBOL qualifying with 12 points from six fixtures. Plucked from Peruvian club FBC Melgar, Néstor Lorenzo was appointed to the manager role in June of 2022, replacing Reinaldo Rueda after his failure to qualify for the World Cup. The 58-year-old Argentine enjoyed a lengthy playing career across two continents before working as an assistant at various sides, including a long stint with Colombia under José Pékerman. He is earning a reputation as a “champion killer” due to his squad’s fearlessness to play “as equals” regardless of the opponent. ¡ ̃ ́ . . ! Con ustedes… ¡Los convocados por el profesor Néstor Lorenzo para viajar a ! ✈️❤️… pic.twitter.com/v9eLmQE2wR— Selección Colombia (@FCFSeleccionCol) May 23, 2024 Lorenzo named a 28-player roster for the pair of friendlies against the USMNT and Bolivia, a group that features all of the major figures. European clubs are home to 16 of the call-ups, while the domestic Categoría Primera A provides a single representative. The planned itinerary is to travel from Barranquilla to Washington and then Hartford before beginning the Copa América in Houston. *** GOALKEEPERS (3): David Ospina (Al Nassr), Camilo Vargas (Atlas), Álvaro Montero (Millonarios) DEFENDERS (9): Davinson Sánchez (Galatasaray), Santiago Arias (Bahia), Yerry Mina (Cagliari), Daniel Muñoz (Crystal Palace), Johan Mojica (Osasuna), Jhon Lucumí (Bologna), Carlos Cuesta (Genk), Deiver Machado (Lens), Yerson Mosquera (Villareal) MIDFIELDERS (10): James Rodríguez (São Paulo), Mateus Uribe (Al Sadd), Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace), Juan Fernando Quintero (Racing), Jorge Carrascal (Dynamo Moscow), Jhon Arias (Fluminense), Kevin Castaño (Krasnodar), Richard Ríos (Palmeiras), Yáser Asprilla (Watford), Sebastián Gómez (Coritiba) FORWARDS (6): Luis Díaz (Liverpool), Rafael Santos Borré (Internacional), Miguel Borja (River Plate), Luis Sinisterra (Bournemouth), Jhon Durán (Aston Villa), Jhon Córdoba (Krasnodar) *** Lorenzo deploys a 4-3-3 formation and will at times put “intense pressure” on the opposing back line, looking to break out on the counter-attack. He is a bit of a tinkerer with a willingness to rotate pacy wingers between “natural” and “inverted,” utilizing the wide areas to drive the action and create an imbalance. His style is one of “intensity” with a premium placed on “covering the spaces on the field well” while “imposing a physical presence with tactical sensitivity.” Instead of a “vertical game,” progression occurs through quick combinations, described as “possession with a purpose.” Projected Colombia Starting XI (via BuildLineup.com) After starting the majority of World Cup qualifiers, Camilo Vargas is expected to maintain his standing as the number one. The 35-year-old Atlas goalkeeper has claimed two league titles while also garnering Best XI, Golden Glove, and Balón de Oro honors. He is willing to come far off of his line with an “average distance of defensive actions” of 15.1 yards, taking a fairly advanced position and stepping forward in order to cut down on angles. While hardly acrobatic, his impressive saves are a result of deliberate footwork and intelligent movement that limits the need for elite athleticism. Scouts are reportedly poring over Bologna’s Jhon Lucumí, desiring the high-volume passer who is described as a “playmaker from the back” due to his accuracy and verticality. Despite a definite weakness in the air, he is a deft one-on-one defender who is capable of handling opposing dribblers. Yerry Mina endured an up-and-down career stretch from “forgotten man” at Everton to missing most of the fall with Fiorentina before moving to Caligari in February and assuming a spot in the starting line-up. The towering 6’5” centre-back is a physical throwback at the position with heading, shot blocks, tackling, and minimal contributions in the build-up. The manager could also turn to Davinson Sánchez of Galatasaray, who was in need of a change of scenery after a rough couple of years at Tottenham, a quiet departure for a player once touted as “a future Virgil van Dijk.” The intuitive 27-year-old boasts a strong “ability to read the game” with “crucial interceptions” and “strategic thinking that allow [a] team to transition quickly” into the attack. Another option is Carlos Cuesta, who has picked up a few starts over the past year and is an “absolute pillar” for Genk with well over 100 appearances. Observers praise his “modern” profile which “combines power and speed with good ability on the ball and an impressive presence,” often on display when making driving runs forward. After years on the fringes of the programs, Lens fullback Deiver Machado stepped into a starting role, but his ascension was halted by an adductor injury that required surgery. He is adept at taking down opposing dribblers in the one-on-one and breaks forward, forces turnovers in the high press, and breaks forward with incredible pace, putting himself in position to combine with teammates or deliver a cross. On the other side of the formation is Crystal Palace’s Daniel Muñoz, a late bloomer who delivers “speed, tenacity, pinpoint delivery, and versatility” with the ability to line up at centre-back and defensive midfielder. The 28-year-old from the “modest town” of Amalfi is “powerful and aggressive” with hard tackles and a non-stop drive to press forward, taking a significant number of touches in the final third and describing the desire to “constantly attack” as “part of his DNA.” Mateus Uribe prowls the midfield for Al Sadd in the Qatar Stars League and knocks in the regular finish, typically popping up as the recipient on the end of crosses. The roving generalist makes an impact in all phases of the game with aggressive tackles, fearless blocks, and delicate footwork to work out of pressure. A relatively new introduction to the program, Krasnodar’s Kevin Castaño is praised as being “proficient with both feet and composed with the ball.” The 23-year-old “deep playmaker” takes his time and sprays passes all over the park with pinpoint accuracy, whether operating from in front of the back line or around the final third. There’s also the likelihood that Jefferson Lerma of Crystal Palace factors into proceedings, providing a tireless work effort on the defensive side of the game. The strong aerial presence is “physically imposing” and “uses his strength and stature to win battles” along with an increasing goal-scoring prowess. Over a decade after his senior international debut, James Rodríguez is still a key player for Colombia. The 32-year-old’s post-peak career odyssey has led him to São Paulo after stops in Qatar and Greece with Al-Rayyan and Olympiacos, respectively. When on top of his game, he is an elite creative presence and link-up facilitator with a penchant for “drifting, unnoticed, into space” and dictating the flow of the game. Proceedings tend to operate at his pace and discretion, receiving the ball in key areas and determining whether the team will be embarking upon the counter-attack generated by a long pass over the top or methodically working up the field with a slower build-up. Star Liverpool winger Luis Díaz is an intelligent counter-presser who works with intensity and “reads where the next pass is going [in order] to intercept,” pouncing on opportunities in dangerous areas. The right-footed attacker cuts inwardly from the left with searing one-on-one dribbling and an accurate shot from long distance, yet maintains wide spacing without the ball, which forces defenders out of position. The right side of the formation should be occupied by…
Scouting Colombia: A Look Ahead to the 2024 USMNT Friendly
