LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano provides his Three Things We Learned from the United States’ 4-0 defeat to Argentina in the Copa America Centenario semifinal on Tuesday. The win gives Argentina a berth in the tournament final on Sunday.
U.S. COMPLETELY OUTCLASSED BY STYLISH ARGENTINA
Argentina dominated the United States from start-to-finish with a 4-0 victory over the United States on Tuesday in Houston.
The match was all Argentina as the South Americans controlled possession from the start allowing them to wear down a USMNT squad that was forced to chase throughout the game. When the Argentines had their opportunities, they finished them with clinical efficiency as Gonzalo Higuain notched a brace while Ezequiel Lavezzi and Lionel Messi also found the back of the net. Argentina’s dominance was so complete that the Americans registered just a single shot and none on goal throughout the 90 minutes.
The scoreline may be a tough pill to swallow for American fans, but Argentina showed the USMNT why they are one of the world’s best teams.
LIONEL MESSI SHOWS WHY HE’S A SOCCER GOD WITH RECORD-BREAKING FREE KICK
Lionel Messi became Argentina’s all-time leading goal scorer on Tuesday in brilliant fashion.
Messi scored his 55th goal for his nation in the 33rd minutem overtaking Gabriel Batistuta’s record, which has stood since 2002. The goal was a breathtaking free kick as Messi delivered a curling shot into the top right corner of the net past a helpless Brad Guzan.
The record will mean a lot to Messi personally, but the FC Barcelona superstar will have his sights set on ending his country’s 23-year trophy drought in Sunday’s final.
USMNT CAN HOLD THEIR HEADS UP HIGH DESPITE RESULT
The United States saw their hopes of a Copa America Centenario title go up in smoke on Tuesday, but the USMNT can be proud of their performance in this tournament.
After struggling mightily against Colombia in the tournament opener, the USMNT rebounded well to reach the semifinals with wins over Costa Rica, Paraguay and Ecuador. During their three-game winning streak, the Americans showed off some of their classiest play during the Jurgen Klinsmann era with the squad showcasing intricate passing, creativity in the final third, stalwart defending and clinical finishing.
Klinsmann’s team will have an opportunity for a consolation victory on Saturday when they face the loser of the other semifinal between Colombia and Chile at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. A win in the third-place game will allow the Americans to end the tournament on a high and give the team their best-ever finish in the competition.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atLAGalaxy.com/Insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
