The USMNT faces a massive challenge to begin its Copa America preparations with an international friendly against in-form Colombia on Saturday in the nation’s capital.

Following a failure to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Colombia have been on a tear under new head coach Nelson Lozano, unbeaten in 21 straight matches dating back over two full years.

With a game against world power Brazil to follow next week and the start of the Copa America to come soon after, the time is now for the United States to put everything together and become a fully results-oriented side.

The most notable criticism of Gregg Berhalter’s tenure in charge of the United States has been an inability to beat the world’s top teams, most notably falling in the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup to the Netherlands. Fans will get a chance to see just what the United States men are made of over the next few weeks, starting now against one of the world’s most white-hot national sides.

USA vs. Colombia prediction, odds

• Moneyline lean: Draw (+210)
• Score prediction: USA 1-1 Colombia

This game is a huge test for the USMNT, and it’s surprising that Colombia aren’t favored in this match by a larger margin, with the two teams instead given almost equivalent moneyline odds.

Yet on home soil and in a friendly where the result isn’t of paramount importance, Berhalter should be able to engineer a result. The absence of Sergino Dest will make it difficult to deal with the danger of Luis Diaz, but both these teams have been strong defensively, and goals will be at a premium. One moment of brilliance should be enough to secure some kind of result.

USA vs. Colombia match facts

• Date: Saturday, June 8, 2024
• Kickoff Time: 5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT
• Location: Commanders Field (Landover, Maryland)
• Last meeting: USA 0-0 Colombia (Jan. 28, 2023 | Friendly*)

*This international friendly was contested outside a designated FIFA international window.

USA vs. Colombia best bet

• Pick: Colombia double chance & under 2.5 total goals
• Odds: -110 (BetMGM)

It would be quite the statement for the United States to win this match, being the first team to beat Colombia since early 2022. They could absolutely secure a draw, but expecting them to win is a big ask indeed.

Colombia have gone under 2.5 goals in 14 of their last 24 games dating back to the start of 2022, while the United States have done so in two of their last three.

With a low-scoring battle likely between two high-energy but defensively adept sides, putting these two selections together gives a wealth of possible scorelines to come away with a winner.

USA vs. Colombia prop bet

• Pick: Luis Diaz anytime goal scorer
• Odds: +300 (BetMGM)

With the absence of Dest, opposing teams at the 2024 Copa America will attack the right side of the U.S. back line. Most likely, either natural right-back Joe Scally will be installed into the starting lineup, or Tim Weah will be dropped back from his usual right wing position. Neither option is terribly inspiring.

That will see Colombia surely feed the ball to Luis Diaz for both chance creation and chance finishing, and while he’s more involved in the former than the latter, 3/1 odds on him finishing a chance past the USMNT defense feels like exceptional value knowing his spark can ignite at any point throughout the 90 minutes if the opposition switches off for even a moment.

USA vs. Colombia live stream, TV channel

• Date: Saturday, June 8, 2024
• Time: 5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT
• English:
  • TV: TNT
  • Streaming: Sling, Max
• Spanish:
  • TV: Universo
  • Streaming: Fubo

The match between the United States and Colombia will be broadcast domestically on TNT, who have the rights to U.S. Soccer matches not affiliated with any competitive environment, usually friendlies. TNT is available to stream on Sling.

There is also a Spanish-language broadcast on Universo, which can be streamed on Fubo, who are offering a free trial for new users.