Colombia vs. Haiti International Friendly 2016 Schedule, Streaming / TV Info
Colombia will test out its sea legs when it takes on Haiti in a friendly on Sunday May 29.
The Colombians are seen as a team that can potentially take the world by storm in the upcoming Copa America. The team was a disaster a year ago in this very tournament, scoring a whopping one goal in four matches while getting eliminated in the quarterfinals by Argentina.
Why the Copa America 2015 was a disaster
The biggest issue with the team was formation. Whereas Colombia thrived in a 4-2-3-1 in 2014's World Cup, the lack of certain players due to injury forced coach Jose Pekerman to implement a 4-2-2-2 for most of the tournament. This reduced the role of star James Rodriguez who was forced out of his natural place as a creative playmaker behind the top strikers. The presence of Radamel Falcao also hindered the side as the former star played poorly throughout, lacking the killer instinct of past year.
Changes for this upcoming tournament
Falcao is not in the fold this time around and Rodriguez has fallen from grace since the 2015 tournament. He will captain the squad, but needs a defining moment that has been lacking since the 2014-15 season came to an end.
Pekerman has mobilized the troops a bit better in recent tournament play as Colombia sits fifth in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers. Rodriguez has also looked far better in leading the side and Colombia has moved toward a more flexible playing style. Whereas 2015 saw a possession-heavy approach, the recent games have shown a more varied strategy with both possession and counterattacking coming to the fore.
Rodriguez will not be in the fold due to his involvement in the Champions League final on Saturday.
Record versus Haiti
Colombia has won three of four against Haiti all time, including the recent 2-0 win in 2009.
Colombia will face the US, Paraguay and Costa Rica in Group A of the Copa America 2016 Centenario.
Schedule and streaming info
The game starts at 6 PM EDT and will only be broadcast to those with a subscription to Caracol TV.
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