GLENDALE, Ariz. — Carlos Bacca beat goalkeeper Tim Howard by sliding to poke in a headed cross in the 31st minute Saturday night, and the United States finished fourth in the Copa America with a 1-0 loss to Colombia.

After losing to Argentina 4-0 in the semifinals, the 31st-ranked U.S. was beaten by No. 3 Colombia for the second time in the 16-nation tournament.

Bobby Wood came closest to scoring for the U.S. when he hit a post in the 62nd, one minute after Juan Cuadrado of Colombia hit the underside of the crossbar.

The U.S. matched its previous best finish in the tournament, fourth in 1995 in Uruguay.

Argentina will take on Chile for the championship Sunday night in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

After the Americans lost to Jamaica in the semifinals of last year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup and struggled in the semifinal round of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, U.S. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann was hoping his team would rebound in the Copa, when right back DeAndre Yedlin, central defender John Brooks, midfielder Gyasi Zardes and forward Bobby Wood solidified their positions as regular starters.

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Darlington Nagbe and 17-year-old Christian Pulisic again entered as second-half subs, two more players who could break through and replace veterans during the remaining 16 months of World Cup qualifying.

Colombia, which never has won the Copa America, finished third for the fourth time but first since 1995.

Both teams finished a man short after American defender Michael Orozco and Colombian defender Santiago Arias were ejected for a confrontation in the third minute of second-half stoppage time.

Orozco is suspended for the U.S.’s World Cup qualifier at St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Sept. 2, and Arias will miss Colombia’s next qualifier against Venezuela.

Klinsmann inserted the 37-year-old Howard into his lineup in place of Brad Guzan, who had started the previous nine games.

Colombia scored after Juan Cuadrado, from along a flank, cut the ball back to James Rodriguez just outside the penalty area.

Arias made a run to get by Alejandro Bedoya, and Rodriguez lofted a pass to Arias, who jumped at the edge of the 6-yard box and headed the ball across Howard’s goal to Bacca.


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