USMNT Faces Record Defeat Under Berhalter in 5-1 Loss to Colombia

The United States men’s national team suffered its worst defeat under coach Gregg Berhalter, losing 5-1 to Colombia in a warmup game ahead of the Copa América, highlighting ongoing challenges against South American teams.

The U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) experienced a devastating 5-1 defeat against Colombia at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, marking the heaviest loss of Gregg Berhalter’s tenure as head coach. The match, a warmup for the upcoming Copa América, quickly turned against the U.S., with Colombia establishing a 2-0 lead within the first 19 minutes thanks to goals from Jhon Arias and Rafael Borré.

Matias Cerisola/Undrafted

Despite a brief resurgence with Timothy Weah scoring early in the second half, the U.S. struggled to maintain momentum. Late defensive errors allowed Colombia to extend their lead significantly. Richard Rios, Jorge Carrascal, and Luis Sinisterra each found the back of the net in the final 13 minutes, sealing the USMNT’s worst defeat since their 2016 loss to Costa Rica, which ended Jurgen Klinsmann’s time as coach.

This result also continued Colombia’s impressive 22-game unbeaten streak, underscoring the challenges the U.S. faces against strong South American teams. The loss highlights the U.S.’s ongoing difficulties, with the team now winless in their last five matches against South American opponents, including three draws since their last victory against Ecuador in 2019.

Matias Cerisola/Undrafted

Looking ahead, the USMNT’s schedule remains tough, with a friendly against Brazil, a five-time World Cup champion, slated for Wednesday in Orlando. The team will then kick off its Copa América campaign on June 23 against Bolivia, needing to address key issues if they hope to perform better in the tournament.