Despite having yet to get a new coach, interim coach Anthony Hudson looked at new faces in Saturday’s friendly draw with Colombia.
The Americans needed more regular critical starters in their second friendly of the week due to the limited involvement of Europe-based players.
As Colombia remained unbeaten in four matches since Argentine Nestor Lorenzo took over as coach, it was a high-energy, frenetic match with few clear-cut chances.
Twelve players from Major League Soccer clubs debuted in the US 2-1 loss to Serbia on Wednesday.
Paxton Aaronson, the 19-year-old brother of Leeds United winger Brenden Aaronson, had the two best chances for the United States early in the game. Still, the attacking midfielder lacked the clinical edge.
A swift break down the right saw Diego Valoyes feed Cucho Hernandez, but Sean Johnson comfortably saved his low effort from a tight angle.
After the ball struck Juan Hernandez’s arm in the box, the Americans felt they should have been awarded a penalty, but their appeals were denied.
Substitutions after the break contributed to the lack of fluidity and momentum in the game, although Brandon Vazquez could not score from Kellyn Acosta’s free kick.
A dangerous burst into the box by Colombia forward teenage substitute defender Jalen Neal stopped Frank Fabra.
Gregg Berhalter, who led the US team to the last 16 at December’s World Cup, was not re-signed by the team. Hudson took over for the two games.
Hudson is not viewed as a permanent candidate by the US Soccer Federation as they review their situation.
Federation president Cindy Parlow Cone said she was hiring a consulting firm to help assess their situation and find new staff after the federation’s general manager Brian McBride and sports director Earnie Stewart quit last week.
Parlow Cone said she expected to have a head coach in late summer, meaning Hudson would remain in charge for the CONCACAF Nations League games in March and the Gold Cup in June.
It was believed that Berhalter would return until US Soccer investigated a 1991 incident in which he kicked his then-girlfriend, now his wife.
Under a challenge from substitute defender Jalen Neal, Colombia forwards Frank Fabra fired a dangerous blaze into the box.
Having failed to renew the contract of Greg Berhalter, who led the US team to the last-16 at December’s World Cup, Hudson took charge of the US team for the two games.
As the US Soccer Federation reviews Hudson’s situation, he is not considered a permanent candidate for the job.
Last week, team general manager Brian McBride and federation sporting director Arnie Stewart resigned. Federation president Cindy Parlow Cone said she would hire a consulting firm to assess their situation.
The head coach is expected at the summer’s end, meaning Hudson will oversee the CONCACAF Nations League games in March and the Gold Cup tournament in June.
After US Soccer began an investigation into an incident in 1991 in which Berhalter kicked his then-girlfriend, now his wife, his return was considered a possibility.
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