United States vs. Colombia: Copa America Match Time, TV Schedule, Live Stream
By Matt Snyder
The United States Men’s National Team will take on Colombia in the group stage of the Copa America Centenario on Friday. Here’s how you can watch the game on TV or online.
The United States and Colombia will square off in the opening match of the group stage of the Copa America Centenario, but the questions on the minds of many Americans are “what exactly is this tournament?” and “why is it being hosted in the United States?”
The Copa America is the South American soccer confederation’s (CONMEBOL) international tournament to crown the continent’s soccer champion. The analog for the North America, Central America, and Caribbean confederation (CONCACAF) is the Gold Cup, which was held last summer.
South America, however, only comprises ten CONMEBOL member nations which would make for an oddly formatted tournament. For that reason it has become tradition for them to invite two nations from outside the continent to participate in their tournament. Multiples of four seem to work best for group stage formatting in these tournaments.
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Mexico (nine appearances), Costa Rica (four appearances), and the United States (three appearances) have been the most common invitees. This year, being the centennial celebration of the tournament, CONMEBOL has invited six outside nations (all from neighbor CONCACAF) to boost the participation total to 16 nations and increase the global visibility of the event.
As for why the South American continental tournament is being held in the United States, the answer is money. Officials have stated that the event will help “unite the Americas” but nothing unites people like a crap ton of money. Hosting the games in the United States, with the extra exposure and marketing opportunities that affords, stands to make everyone a lot of cash.
The Copa America Centenario opens with host nation United States taking on Colombia in the first game of group play. Here’s how you can find the match on TV or streaming online.
United States v. Colombia
Levi’s Stadium – Santa Clara, CA
Date: Friday, June 3
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
TV: Fox Sports 1
Live Stream: Fox Sports GO
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The United States carries a 3-10-4 all-time record against Colombia, but the most famous match between the two nations came in the 1994 World Cup (also held in the U.S.) The United States topped the heavily favored Colombians 2-1 in a match highlighted by Andres Escobar’s own goal.