Colombia humiliates U.S. soccer in Commanders Field drubbing

The U.S. soccer team lost 5-1 against Colombia on Saturday in a friendly at Commanders Field in Landover.

U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter said the rout was a “wake-up call” before this summer’s Copa America tournament.

Saturday’s match was one of the final tune-ups for the Americans before the Copa America kicks off later this month. The U.S. will host the event, which features the best international teams from North and South America.

“We’re not framing it as a lesson learned. We’re actually framing it as a wake-up call,” Berhalter told reporters after the game. “Really poor performance against a top team.”

The five goals allowed by the Americans marked their worst defensive performance since 2009 when they allowed Mexico to notch five goals in the Gold Cup Final.

Throughout this month’s training camp, the American coaches and players said the friendly was vital preparation against top-tier talent. The tough competition would be a measuring stick for a talented but unproven U.S. squad.

The U.S. and Colombia were ranked 11th and 12th by FIFA heading into the match.

But the Americans were outclassed. Colombia scored twice in the first 20 minutes to open the match. The U.S. scored its lone goal in the 58th minute, but it wasn’t enough.

The Colombians added another three goals in the final 13 minutes, sealing the win and causing their fans to chant “USA, Colombia es tu papa!”

“We were nowhere near the level we need to play if we’re gonna win games coming into Copa America …” forward Christian Pulisic, the Americans’ captain and biggest star, said after the game. “It just has to be better.”

The U.S. has another friendly against Brazil on Wednesday in Orlando. The Americans open group play in Copa America on June 23 against Bolivia.