WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : TODAY’S GAMES AT A GLANCE : GROUP A at Rose Bowl
Colombia vs. United States
* TIME: 4:30 p.m.
* TV: ESPN, Univision
* KEY MATCHUPS: The onus is on the U.S. team to match up against Colombia. Can the midfield hold the ball and, thus, start the offense? Will the team use four backs on defense or 10? How will the defenders stop some of the quickest, most dangerous forwards in the world? Comparing players is useless, but the United States should be very nervous to learn that forward Adolfo Valencia will be replaced in the lineup by Anthony de Avila to “add mobility,” the Colombians say. How much faster can Colombia get? What’s the speed limit in the Rose Bowl?
* OUTLOOK: Do you use a zone or man-to-man defense against self-imposed pressure? That will be the question for both teams. Colombia must get a point and would prefer three. The United States needs three but would be delighted with one. Colombia’s pressure will be unrelenting and their forwards’ superior speed will expose the American defense’s feet of lead. Look for a few somersaults from Faustino Asprilla. The best chance the U.S. team has to score will be on set plays and restarts.
* OUTCOME: Colombia isn’t one of the tournament’s favorites for no reason. This is a team with enormous pride and it was embarrassed by its loss to Romania, a team with some international stature. The Colombian player does not exist who would contemplate a loss to the United States. Colombia by three.
