SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Cristian Zapata scored his first international goal, James Rodriguez added a 42d-minute penalty kick, and Colombia beat the United States, 2-0, Friday night in the opener of the Copa America.
US coach Jurgen Klinsmann spoke about the importance of a strong showing in this special edition 100th anniversary Copa to create buzz for a potential 2026 World Cup bid. Instead, the 31st-ranked Americans began the biggest tournament at home since the 1994 World Cup with a dud in front of the sold-out crowd of 67,439.
Geoff Cameron lost his mark on the first goal, and DeAndre Yedlin left a raised arm that led to a handball call and Rodriguez’s penalty kick. Colombia dominated, with Carlos Bacca putting a shot of the crossbar in the 77th minute.
The Americans will look to rebound Tuesday against Costa Rica at Chicago.
Clint Dempsey had the three best US chances. Klinsmann started eight players who appeared in the 2014 World Cup, joined by goalkeeper Brad Guzan and forwards Gyasi Zardes and Bobby Wood.
Trying to spark the attack, he put in 17-year-old Christian Pulisic and Darlington Nagbe in the 66th minute.
Rodriguez came down hard on his left shoulder in the second half after tripping over US captain Michael Bradley, and Rodriguez exited in the 73d minute.
No. 3 Colombia, a World Cup quarterfinalist two years ago, went ahead in the eighth minute on an unseasonably warm night when Zapata volleyed from about 10 yards out off a corner kick from Edwin Cordona.
With Bradley marking Daniel Torres, Zapata circled around the pair to get away from Cameron, and the defender scored his first goal in 42 international appearances.