When was the last time USMNT conceded five goals in a game?

The United States’ Copa América preparations began with a chastening 5-1 defeat against Colombia, comfortably beaten on home soil.

Despite a nicely taken goal from Timothy Weah, the US were outplayed by an intense and in-form Colombia side who have not lost in 18 months under head coach Nestor Lorenzo. Three of Colombia’s goals came in the final 15 minutes of the game, each a result of ponderous attempts to play out from the back from Gregg Berhalter’s team.

The next two years have been billed as a historic period for soccer in the United States but the team made history for all the wrong reasons on Saturday. The 5-1 loss to Colombia was the first time that USMNT had conceded five goals in a game since the 2009 Gold Cup final against Mexico. Previously, that Mexico defeat was the only five-goal loss since the US faced Czechoslovakia in the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

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Berhalter’s US side come into this summer’s Copa América hoping to progress deep in the tournament. The Stars and Stripes triumphed in the CONCACAF Nations League back in March, beating Mexico in the final, and can make a decent claim to be the confederation’s in-form team.

However this summer USMNT will come up against the might of South América and Berhalter chose a tough brace of pre-tournament friendlies to ensure that his team are prepared for what is to come. Colombia have have looked imperious during Lorenzo’s time in charge, while Brazil boast one of the strongest squads in the international game. It doesn’t get any easier for USMNT.