Thank you for following along with myself, Harry Harris, during the Copa America Centenario opening game between the United States and Colombia. Have a good night!
Plenty to take away from this evening's game as James Rodriguez's potential injury may raise a few eyebrows. The US welcome CONCACAF foes Costa Rica in their next game while Colombia face South American rivals Paraguay.
Goals from Cristian Zapata and James Rodriguez at both ends of the first half prove the difference as Colombia take early control of Group A.
Full Time: United States 0-2 Colombia.
90' Three minutes of added time.
89' Yedlin does well down the right side to earn a corner.
SUB: Dayro Moreno, on; Carlos Bacca, off.
SUB: Graham Zusi, on; Alejandro Bedoya, off.
SUB: Carlos Sanchez; on. Sebastian Perez, off.
86' Yet another free kick in a promising position for the United States.
84' After a flurry of chances at either end, the game has quieted down slightly as we head into the final five minutes.
80' A cross from the left is half-cleared by Colombia and it falls to Bedoya inside the area, but he blazes his shot high over the bar.
78' Dempsey has an effort at the other end but his shot is blocked behind for a corner, which comes to nothing.
76' Close! Bacca is played through but can only smash his shot off the bar with Guzan coming out quickly.
74' Attendance announced as 67, 439. A sellout.
72' A worrying moment for Colombia as Rodriguez is subbed off moments after picking up an apparent injury but it could just be a precaution by Jose Pekerman.
SUB: Guillermo Celis, on; James Rodriguez, off.
69' James Rodriguez is off the field currently receiving treatment for a shoulder problem.
69' Colombia threaten yet again and Cuadrado finds himself in acres of space on the right. His cross is met by Bacca but the finish deflects behind for a corner.
67' The United States have impressed a lot more in the second half but have been thwarted twice in the last ten minutes.
SUB: Nagbe and Pulisic, on; Jones and Wood, off.
65' Darlington Nagbe and Christian Pulisic set to come on for the home side.
64' Close! Dempsey's free kick is a great one but Ospina flies to his left to push it away.
63' Free kick to the United States as Murillo brings down Dempsey, who's found himself on the floor often today.
60' Close! Dempsey's header from ten yards out is hooked off the line by Perez!
59' Corner for the US after Zardes' cross is deflected behind.
57' Alejandro Bedoya picks up the first yellow card of the evening for a late challenge on Murillo.
54' Colombia earn a free kick as Juan Cuadrado goes down in a heap from a heavy, but fair, challenge from John Brooks.
51' The first chance of the game falls to Colombia has Bacca's shot from distance forces Guzan to parry but no one is on hand to finish the job.
49' Fairly even to open the second half with no chances to report so far.
45' Back underway at Levi Stadium, 45 minutes for the United States to get back in this.
No substitutes to report for the beginning of the second half. The US to get us back underway!
The major talking point of the first half will be the penalty decision minutes before the interval as Yedlin was deemed to have handled the ball.
Colombia were the dominant of the two sides in terms of shots on target, with five compared to the United States' zero. The hosts did enjoy 61% of the possession in the first half.
Half Time: United States 0-2 Colombia.
45' The penalty just before the half will be a huge setback for Jurgen Klinsmann's men as they were beginning to fashion chances.
42' GOAL! 2-0, James Rodriguez doubles his nation's lead from the spot, sending Guzan the wrong way.
40' PENALTY! DeAndre Yedlin handles in the area!
36' Close! The United States' best chance of the game falls to their talisman, Clint Dempsey, but his curling effort flies inches wide of the right-hand post.
35' Carlos Bacca's through ball finds no one and the United States are back with possession after a goal kick.
34' Apart from the goal, it's been a fairly even first 30 minutes in terms of possession, with Colombia enjoying the better of the chances.
30' The ensuing set piece sees Fabian Johnson's shot hit the top of the wall.
28' The hosts continue to build around the edge of the box and win yet another free kick as Jeison Murillo hacks Wood down from behind.
26' A little off the ball incident involving Dempsey is waved away by referee Roberto Garcia and Colombia maintain possession.
24' Bradley's free kick is met by Jones at the back post but the midfielder fails to test Ospina.
23' Another free kick for the United States in the opposition half after Perez brings down Dempsey.
21' Edwin Cardona has a volley saved comfortably by Guzan after the winger's individual skill to open up room for a shot.
19' Some nice build up play around the area by the Americans comes to nothing in the end.
16' Colombia continue to look dangerous in the attacking third, this time Perez has a shot from distance but Guzan dives to his left and saves comfortably.
14' Dempsey's free kick hits the wall and results in a throw in to the US.
13' Sebastian Perez brings down Jermaine Jones and the hosts have a free kick around 32 yards out. Clint Dempsey is over it.
12' An early goal hasn't seemed to phase the United States as they continue to enjoy possession but have yet to threaten David Ospina's goal.
8' GOAL! Colombia are ahead through a fantastic volley from Cristian Zapata! The defender manages to lose his marker and hammer home the corner to make it 1-0.
7' Juan Cuadrado's ball into the area is almost met by Carlos Bacca but Cameron manages to intervene in time.
5' Lovely piece of skill by Geoff Cameron sets the US away but Wood can't latch onto a cross from Gyasi Zardes on the right.
3' Nice idea by John Brooks but his ball over the top is too heavy for Bobby Wood.
1' Early throw in for Colombia but Santiago Arias' throw is cleared by the hosts.
KICKOFF!
The United States will kick right to left to start with the visitors getting us underway tonight!
The teams are on their way out of the tunnel. The United States are in their all white uniforms while the visitors, Colombia, emerge in their navy strip. Kickoff just a few minutes away.
The opening ceremony is underway with plenty of musical acts building up to kickoff, as well as a unique display on the field.
Make sure to tweet your thoughts on the starting lineups and any predictions for today's game to @CopaVAVEL. Also remember to follow along here for all your live updates!
The United States team have emerged for their warm up and the stadium's atmosphere is beginning to build up as we are within an hour of kickoff.
Jurgen Klinsmann's men looked to be set up in a 4-3-3 with their Jose Pekerman opting for the 4-2-3-1 with his side, with James Rodriguez in the number 10 role.
Plenty to discuss in regards to the two teams. Alejandro Bedoya starts in midfield for the United States instead of Kyle Beckerman while Colombia start with Carlos Sanchez on the bench, which comes as a shock.
Colombia Starting XI: Ospina; Arias, Zapata, Murillo, Diaz; Perez, Torres; Cuadrado, James Rodriguez (c), Cardona; Bacca.
USA Starting XI: Guzan; Yedlin, Brooks, Cameron, Fabian Johnson; Bradley (c), Bedoya, Jones; Zardes, Dempsey, Wood.
There have been a handful of United States and Colombia players inspecting the field ahead of kickoff. Michael Bradley among those testing the surface.
Starting lineups should be released in the next 45 minutes, with the opening ceremony on it's way also.
During the tournament, a fourth substitute will be allowed in Extra-Time while denial of a goalscoring opportunity will not result in a red card. Arms and hands will not be considered offsides and a yellow card will be administered to any goalkeeper coming off their line before a penalty.
There have been a few last minute rule changes ahead of the tournament's opening game.
We are just over two hours away from kickoff today and I am live from Levi Stadium on a blistering day in the Bay Area.
We'll have team news available as soon as it is released and make sure to follow along with us here on VAVEL USA for the buildup and live updates. Don't forget to tweet any predictions you have to our Twitter account, @CopaVAVEL.
Alongside the United States and Colombia in Group A are Costa Rica and Paraguay, with the group being dubbed the "Group of Death" due to the sheer competitiveness and quality involved in all four sides.
Levi's Stadium is the venue for the opener and over 60,000 people are set to be in attendance for the historic game between the hosts and the favorites to win Group A.
Neither side are considered the favorites to win the Copa America Centenario title this summer but both are being dubbed as dark horses for the tournament. James Rodriguez and Clint Dempsey are two players that could lead their countries far this summer and will be hoping to kick things off with a win on Friday.
Colombia may not have as many decisions to make for their team but they do lack experience at the back. Going forward, Colombia are very dangerous with the likes of James Rodriguez, Carlos Bacca and Juan Cuadrado. In defense, there are questions over the experience and talent heading into the big kick off on Friday night. Rodriguez particularly has a point to prove after a disappointing campaign with Real Madrid and will want to prove his worth on the international stage once again.
The United States have plenty of decisions to make regarding their starting lineup for the opener with all 23 players vying for a position in the starting lineup. Clint Dempsey, DeAndre Yedlin, Michael Bradley and Brad Guzan are likely the only "locks" for the starting XI with seven positions still up for grabs. The biggest story still remains 17-year-old Christian Pulisic, who has burst onto the scene in 2016 and looks set to feature throughout the tournament.
The USA have won just three times in 17 attempts against Colombia, while three other encounters ended with the scores level. Klinsmann's men could shock plenty on Friday with a victory and propel them to a strong run in the tournament. While Colombia are favorites for the group, they won't take anyone lightly, especially the hosts.
The two do have a history with each other as the United States beat Colombia 2-1 in the 1994 World Cup, which was held in the U.S. Colombia were victorious in the 1995 Copa America, winning 4-1 in the third place playoff. The United States have not lost two consecutive games to Colombia since 1993 and after losing the most recent meeting, should we expect a positive result for the Americans?
Colombia were involved in just one friendly in their build up for this summer's tournament. Jose Pekerman's side beat Haiti 3-1 at the end of May. While the lack of pre-tournament friendlies may be worrying, it could be just to avoid injuries heading into a pivotal tournament for Colombia. The Colombians have struggled since setting the 2014 World Cup alight, but have picked up form in recent months and now have another chance to show what they can do.
The United States have impressed in their pre-tournament friendlies, winning all three games against Puerto Rico, Ecuador and Bolivia. Youngsters Christian Pulisic and Darlington Nagbe were among the players that have given Jurgen Klinsmann plenty to think about when picking his starting XI for the opener. There has been recent criticism of Klinsmann from all corners and a positive performance this summer could be a giant step for the Americans.
The two sides in action on Thursday, USA and Colombia, will be meeting for the first time since 2014, when Colombia were 2-1 winners. Clint Dempsey's early goal was eventually cancelled out by Teo Gutierrez and Carlos Bacca. The buildup for the tournament, and especially the opening game, has been huge and we should be in store for a great game.
This will be the first ever Copa America tournament held in the United States and the 45th tournament since it began in 1916. Some of the world's best players will be on show around the U.S., but all eyes will be on Levi Stadium on Friday night for the opening game of the month long festival of soccer.
Hello and welcome to VAVEL USA's live coverage of the opening game of the Copa America Centenario between the hosts, the United States, and Colombia. My name is Harry Harris and I will be providing minute by minute updates for you, as well as coverage from the build up to the game, live from Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:30 PM ET and make sure to stay tuned here on VAVEL USA for updates.