USA's Tim Parker (white jersey) and Roger Martinez of visiting Colombia battle for possession during their Olympic Qualifying playoff on March 29, 2016, in Frisco, Texas. (Photo: Rick Yeatts/isiphotos.com)
FRISCO, Texas – Roger Martinez scored a goal in each half and Colombia defeated the United States 2-1 in the second leg of their Olympic Qualifying playoff on Tuesday at Toyota Stadium.
The result gave the South American visitor the final available berth in the 2016 Olympic Games after the opener ended in a 1-1 draw last week.
An own-goal by Deiver Machado got the U.S. on the scoreboard in the 58th minute, leveling the score at 1-1.
Six minutes later, however, Martinez struck for the game-winner by finishing a Machado cross.
Colombia took a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute, when Martinez volleyed home from close range off a ball sent across the goal by Andreas Roa.
The Americans, who haven’t participated in an Olympics since 2008, finished the match with nine players following the ejections of Luis Gil (77’) and Matt Miazga (90’).
Referee Ravshan Irmatov issued 11 cautions (6, USA & 5, Colombia).
