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USA hold on for draw against Colombia in first leg of Olympic qualifying playoff USA hold on for draw against Colombia in first leg of Olympic qualifying playoff
(about 11 hours later)
Luis Gil scored in the fifth minute, and the United States held on for a 1-1 tie against Colombia at Barranquilla on Friday in the opener of a two-leg playoff for the final berth in this year’s men’s Olympic soccer tournament.Luis Gil scored in the fifth minute, and the United States held on for a 1-1 tie against Colombia at Barranquilla on Friday in the opener of a two-leg playoff for the final berth in this year’s men’s Olympic soccer tournament.
In the matchup of under-23 teams. Colombia had 76% possession in the first half but didn’t break through until Juan Quintero tied it with a penalty kick in the 68th. In the matchup of under-23 teams, Colombia had 76% possession in the first half but didn’t break through until Juan Quintero tied it with a penalty kick in the 68th.
The second leg of the total-goals series is Tuesday at Frisco, Texas. The US is in danger of failing to qualify for consecutive Olympics for the first time since 1960-68; it was forced into the playoff by losing to Honduras last October in the semifinal round of regional qualifying in North and Central America and the Caribbean.The second leg of the total-goals series is Tuesday at Frisco, Texas. The US is in danger of failing to qualify for consecutive Olympics for the first time since 1960-68; it was forced into the playoff by losing to Honduras last October in the semifinal round of regional qualifying in North and Central America and the Caribbean.
Ethan Horvath, the starting American goalkeeper, was replaced by Cropper in the 45th minute, about eight minutes after Horvath cleared the ball with a header just outside the penalty area and collided with Andres Renteria. Cropper was down for an extended period, remained in the game for a short stretch, then came out.Ethan Horvath, the starting American goalkeeper, was replaced by Cropper in the 45th minute, about eight minutes after Horvath cleared the ball with a header just outside the penalty area and collided with Andres Renteria. Cropper was down for an extended period, remained in the game for a short stretch, then came out.
It was 91F with 60% humidly when the game kicked off in late afternoon, and the Americans wore predominantly black uniforms in the heat.It was 91F with 60% humidly when the game kicked off in late afternoon, and the Americans wore predominantly black uniforms in the heat.
Gil took a pass from Will Trapp and played the ball to Mario Rodriguez, who dribbled to the end line. Rodriguez muscled off Davinson Sanchez and cut the ball back to Gil, who scored with a right-footed shot from just past the penalty area.Gil took a pass from Will Trapp and played the ball to Mario Rodriguez, who dribbled to the end line. Rodriguez muscled off Davinson Sanchez and cut the ball back to Gil, who scored with a right-footed shot from just past the penalty area.
Colombia pinned the US in its own half for much of the game, and the Americans threatened primarily with counterattacks. Jordan Morris, playing with the under-23s rather than joining the national team for Friday’s World Cup qualifier at Guatemala, hit the crossbar with a long-range attempt in the 64th minute.Colombia pinned the US in its own half for much of the game, and the Americans threatened primarily with counterattacks. Jordan Morris, playing with the under-23s rather than joining the national team for Friday’s World Cup qualifier at Guatemala, hit the crossbar with a long-range attempt in the 64th minute.
Colombia tied the score after Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir – who worked last year’s European Champions League final – called American defender Kellyn Acosta for pulling an arm of Rafael Santos Borre in the area. Quintero slotted the ball to Cropper’s right.Colombia tied the score after Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir – who worked last year’s European Champions League final – called American defender Kellyn Acosta for pulling an arm of Rafael Santos Borre in the area. Quintero slotted the ball to Cropper’s right.