Five Things to Know About Colombia

After dropping a 2-1 decision to Serbia in its first international of the year in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, the U.S. Men's National Team will welcome Colombia to Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. to close out the annual January camp on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT, Peacock, Telemundo, UNIVERSO).

FOOTBALLING HISTORY

Colombia has participated in six FIFA World Cups - (1962, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2014, 2018). Their best performance occurred at Brazil 2014, when they reached the quarterfinals while finishing fifth among 32 teams.

In 2014, Los Cafeteros won Group C with a perfect 3-0-0 record. After besting Uruguay in the Round of 16, 2-0, they were eliminated by host Brazil in the quarterfinals, 2-0. James Rodriguez was the South American side's most outstanding player, becoming the first Colombian player to win the Golden Boot title at a FIFA World Cup by scoring six goals.

Colombia's biggest international accomplishment was when it captured the 2001 Copa America crown as tournament hosts. The squad did it in style with a 6-0-0 mark and outscoring its opponents, 11-0. Colombia defeated Concacaf invitee Mexico in the final, 1-0 on Ivan Cordoba's 65th-minute goal. The team took runners-up honors in 1975 and finished in third place five times (1987, 1993, 1995, 2016, 2021).

RECENT MATCHES

Colombia failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, so the side has played only three matches since September - all in the United States.

The South American side recorded a 4-1 win over Guatemala at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. on Sept. 24 as James Rodriguez (40th minute), Luis Sinisterra (57th), Rafael Borre (76th) and Yaser Asprilla (89th) scored before the Central Americans found the net in the final minute of regular time.

Three days later, they edged Mexico, 3-2, overcoming a two-goal, second-half deficit at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. Sinisterra bagged a brace within a three-minute span (49th, 52nd) and Wilmar Barrios connected for the game-winner (68^th).

On Nov. 19, the Colombia defeated Paraguay 2-0 at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. as Davinson Sanchez (14th) and Radamel Falcao (76th) tallied.

PREVIOUS HISTORY VS. USMNT

The teams have met 20 times, with Los Cafeteros enjoying a 3-13-4 advantage.

The USMNT snapped a six-game winless streak (0-5-1) against Colombia, registering a 1-0 win at the LA Coliseum on Oct. 11, 1984. Ade Coker scored the lone goal in the 84th minute. Hugo Perez found Chance Fry with a long chip pass. Fry ran through two defenders before sending a cross into the middle to an unmarked Coker.

The USA’s most famous victory came during the 1994 FIFA World Cup as the hosts upset the pre-tournament favorites at the Rose Bowl on June 22, 1994, in one of the momentous results in American soccer history. The USA took a 1-0 lead in the 35th minute when John Harkes' cross from the left, which was intended for Earnie Stewart, accidentally was knocked into the net by Colombia defender Andres Escobar. Stewart doubled the margin in the 50th minute and the USA went on to win 2-1. When Colombia returned home, Escobar was tragically shot and killed by a disgruntled fan.

The third and most recent victory came in a 3-0 result at Titan Stadium in Fullerton, Calif. on March 9, 2005. Six players, including Clint Dempsey, made their first international starts for in the match. Pat Noonan scored his first international in the 25th minute, defender Chad Marshall, making his USA debut, doubled the lead in the 33rd minute before Clint Mathis put the exclamation point on the win by scoring an Olimpico goal in the 66th minute.

MANAGER

Former Argentine international defender Nestor Lorenzo took over the coaching reins on July 9, 2022 and is undefeated in three matches.

Lorenzo, 56, been coaching since 2000, mostly as an assistant. He has aided head coaches with the full Argentine national team and the Under-20 side, Leganes (Spain), Toluca and Tigres UANL (both Mexico). He was an assistant coach with the Colombian national team from 2012-19.

His first head coaching position came with Melgar (Peru), directing the team to a 35-16-12 record before he was named Colombia's boss.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina Lorenzo competed for Argentinos Juniors, San Lorenzo, Banfield, Ferro Carril Oeste and Boca Juniors (all Argentina), Bari (Italy) and Swindon Town (England) during a 12-year playing career.

ROSTER

Manager Nestor Lorenzo called in 20 players with limited international experience for the match.

Because the game falls outside of a FIFA international window, Lorenzo could not bring in a full-strength squad might have included standouts such James Rodríguez (Olympiacos) and Juan Cuadrado (Juventus).

Nine players have worn the country's colors for a combined 42 appearances and three goals, and nine players perform in the Colombian Primera A league.

Boca Juniors defender Frank Fabra, the second oldest player on the squad at 31, has the most appearances, playing for Los Cafeteros 26 times and scoring once. Forward Cucho Hernandez of the Columbus Crew, one of six Major League Soccer players on the squad, is the leading goal-scorer with two goals in as many matches.

The other five MLS players are defenders Andres Reyes (New York Red Bulls) and Juan Mosquera (Portland Timbers), attacking midfielders (New England’s Dylan Borrero (New England Revolution) and Santiago Moreno (Portland) and forward Cristian Arango (Los Angeles FC).

ROSTER BY POSITION (CLUB; CAPS/GOALS)

GOALKEEPERS: Alvaro Montero (Millonarios; 3/0), Jose Luis Chunga (Alianza Petrolera; 2/0)

DEFENDERS: Frank Fabra (Boca Juniors/ARG; 26/1), Andres Llinas (Millonarios; 2/1), Alexis Perez (Giresunspor;  0/0), Nicolas Hernandez (Athletico Paranaense/BRA;0/0), Andres Reyes (New York Red Bulls/USA; 0/0), Juan Davis Mosquera (Portland Timbers/USA; 0/0), Junior Hernandez (Deportes Tolima; 0/0)

MIDFIELDERS: Jorman Campuzano (Giresunspor/TUR; 2/0), Daniel Ruiz (Millonarios; 0/0), Daniel Catano (Millonarios; 0/0), Yilmar Velasquez (Deportivo Pereira; 0/0), Kevin Castano (Águilas Doradas; 0/0)

FORWARDS: Diego (Valoyes Talleres/ARG; 0/0), Cucho Hernandez (Columbus Crew/USA; 0/0), Cristian Arango (Los Angeles FC/USA; 0/0), Santiago Moreno (Portland Timbers/USA; 0/0), Dylan Borrero (New England Revolution/USA; 0/0), Diber Cambindo (Independiente Medellín; 0/0)