BARRANQUILLA, Colombia(March 25, 2016) -- The U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team earned a crucial, hard-fought result in its quest to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics Friday night, notching a road goal and a 1-1 draw against Colombia in the first leg of a two-match qualifying playoff.
Chicago Fire midfielder Matt Polster started and played a full 90 minutes in the match, which saw the U.S. strike in just the fifth minute with a goal courtesy of Luis Gil.
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Battling temperatures that reached well into the 80s and an emboldened home side, the U.S. was forced to use its first substitution to replace injured goalkeeper Ethan Horvath in the 45th minute. Colombia then pressed relentlessly for the second-half equalizer, eventually finding it in the form of a 68th-minute penalty kick by Juan Quintero.
Despite conceding 26 shots and 75 percent of possession for the match, Andi Herzog’s U.S. side was able to hold on for the critical road draw down the stretch.
Chicago Fire rookie defender Brandon Vincent is also with the U.S. U-23 squad but did not feature in the 18 for Friday’s match.
The two teams now head to Frisco, Texas for Leg 2 of the playoff, the winner of which will determine which side earns the 16th and final place in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. The match will air live on ESPN2 at 8:30 p.m. CT Tuesday (March 29).
