1. They also suffered a disappointing loss last Friday
COLOMBIA BEAT USA 2-1 on Friday at Craven Cottage in a friendly game in which Real Madrid star James Rodriguez was mobbed by the South American fans in attendance.
As for the game itself, Jozy Altidore gave the US the lead after 10 minutes, before Carlos Bacca slotted home from Rodriguez’s assist on 60 minutes to equalise.
The Colombians then hit the winner on 87 minutes, when Teofilo Gutierrez was on hand to convert Edwin Cardona’s cross, after both sides had made a number of changes.
2. They are preparing to host the 2016 Copa America
Having enjoyed a relatively successful World Cup by their standards, the Copa America is the next big competition the US are looking forward to.
Although they won’t be competing in the 2015 edition of the competition in Chile, in 2016, they will become the first non-South American team to serve as hosts.
It will be the fourth time in total that the US has competed in the tournament — they were knocked out in the group stages in 1993 and 2007 (when they fielded an understrength team), while managing to get to the semi-finals in 1995.
3. They boast their very own Seamus Coleman-esque highly talented right-back
Rob Usry / Vimeo
Despite still only being 21, full-back DeAndre Yedlin was one of the players to stand out for the US at the World Cup.
Although not starting any matches, Yedlin made three substitute appearances and caught the eye in particular in the knockout game against Belgium (see above).
Having been playing soccer at the University of Akron only three years ago, Yedlin’s rise has been meteoric since then.
He has earned MLS All-Star accolades for the past two seasons running, and is set to join Tottenham in the Premier League in either January or June.
4. Their squad contains a distinct mix of youth and experience
On the one hand, there are some vastly experienced players in the USA’s squad – DaMarcus Beasley has made 120 appearances at international level, while Jozy Altidore has 74 caps.
Conversely, 12 of the squad are under 24, while the same number have 10 caps or less.
Overall, 16 of the players have been retained from the side’s World Cup adventure, though much-loved goalkeeper Tim Howard is currently taking a break from the international team.
Hamburg’s prodigious 19-year-old Julian Green also features in the 25-man selection, after his impressive goalscoring cameo at the World Cup against Belgium (see above).
5. Ireland have a decent record against the US
The teams have met eight times in total — in 1924, 1979, 1991, 1992 (twice), 1996, 2000 and 2002.
Bar the US Cup, there has been little at stake on each occasion, with Ireland winning four, losing two and drawing two.
The 1979 3-2 friendly win in Dalymount Park was especially notable for being the debut of Chris Hughton — the first mixed race player to represent Ireland.
Meanwhile, the 1992 US Cup game was the location for the less famous Mick McCarthy and Roy Keane bust-up, as detailed in the latter’s autobiography.
