Luis Gil opened the scoring with a vital road goal. His 5th minute strike came as Mario Rodriguez used a cutback pass into the space that Jordan Morris opened. Twice in the first half the US managed to get the Colombian keeper out of the net, but they could not score a goal. Morris sparked one of those chances with Gil missing the shot. The United States now has a strong chance of advancing as they scored an away goal and managed a draw.
A mere 22 minutes into the game the center referee indicated that there would be a hydration break. By the end of the first half both sides were clearly exhausted, and Colombia made a sub in the 33rd minute. The Americans struggled with the heat as well as the passing game of the Colombians. Ethan Horvath, and later Cody Cropper who entered due to a head injury, were peppered in the first 45+6.
Morris had the best opportunity in the second half as he blasted a shot off the crossbar.
Juan Quintero tied the game when Kevin Acosta gifted the Colombians a penalty. Both he and the Colombian forward were given a yellow card during the sequence. The US would hope to hold the 1-1 draw from that 68th minute.
By the 71st minute a second hydration break was taken and both teams had used three subs.
The final 25 or so minutes were a slog, with the Americans looking exhausted and Colombia taking worse shots as the match went on. They finished with 26 shots, 75% possession and 77% passing in the final third. But they head to Frisco, Texas and Tuesday's second leg with only a point having given up a crucial away goal.