U.S. loses to Colombia in Copa America third-place game

hehehehe...the question is really this: Did the United States men's national team play significantly better in its 1-0 loss to Colombia in the pointless Copa America Centenario third-place game on Saturday? Or did the Colombians just not care all that much?

Either way, there was marked progress in the game when laid beside the Americans' botched 2-0 tournament opening loss, against the same Cafeteros, on June 3 in Santa Clara, Calif.

Then, Colombia took a quick lead from a corner and got another goal before halftime on a penalty and phoned in the second half. The USA couldn't make it uncomfortable regardless. But on Saturday, the Yanks were more coherent, cohesive and connected going forward, creating a load of chances in their first game since the dispiriting 4-0 semifinal hiding at the hands of Argentina on Tuesday.

There was nothing at stake but third-place medals – if there even is such a thing. If the Americans won, it would be their best Copa America placement ever in four appearances. If Colombia did, as it would, that would represent its best finish since winning it in 2001 on home soil.

The USA was forced to make two changes to the lineup when left back Fabian Johnson and center back John Brooks were hurt. And they voluntarily gave Tim Howard a game in goal, after he rode the pine in favor of Brad Guzan in the first five Copa games. He would give a strong and sharp performance.

So too did the forwards. It took just 3½ minutes for the U.S. to get an actual shot off, which they never once managed in the lackluster loss to Argentina. Bobby Wood, who was much missed in that game because of a suspension, turned away from his defender but fired high.

Still, the Americans remain prone to the butcher work by strong opposing playmakers. And James Rodriguez easily sliced and diced up the American third, whenever he could bestir himself to.

Just after the half-hour mark, he dispatched several tremendous passes from the hole behind striker Carlos Bacca. He dispatched Juan Cuadrado up the right, who returned it to James. The captain then scooped the ball to Santiago Arias, who managed to head across to find Bacca for the little sliding dink into the net past the defeated Howard.

It was a world-class goal.