Colombia defeated the United States 2-0 in the opening game of the Copa America 2016.

The game truly showcased Colombia's bright potential while also emphasizing the U.S.'s overall poor form over the last few years.

The game was seemingly won in the first half with neither side managing a goal in the second, but the game overall offered up some pretty detailed insight about both sides. Here is what we learned from Group A's first match.

Colombia more than James Rodriguez

The big story for Colombia entering the game was the Real Madrid player. He had fallen from grace in Spain's capital and many expected him to have a big tournament for his national side. He had an impact in the opener, scoring the second goal and showing some flair as he dribbled around four American defenders. He also had some solid long passes and looked more influential as the game progressed and space opened up.

But an injury after the aforementioned four-man dribble may have left him out of the balance of the tournament.

Yet that is no reason for Los Cafeteros to panic. The man of the match was Edwin Cardona, who commandeered the left flank with confidence and intelligence. He slid around the midfield with ease, creating chances, taking shots and completely confusing the American defense. He never seemed to err with the ball on his feet and grew in stature as the game wore on.

Ditto for Juan Cuadrado on the other side of the pitch. The Juventus star plays a high-risk, high-reward game and today it was all reward with him pushing the pace and creating for his team.

And what of Carlos Bacca, who had the third goal on his foot but rattled the crossbar instead. He made many smart runs in behind the defense to threaten for Colombia.

Even if James is out, these three guys will help Colombia move forward.

Colombia pushed the pace with a diverse style

Colombia initiated the game trying to throw down long passes and outrun the US defense. It proved worthless, but it was a smart feeling out strategy.

Then they reverted to a slow build-up, which the US was expecting. The Americans clogged the middle of the pitch and forced Colombia to the outside, but a fortune corner kick and a strong finish flipped the script.

Suddenly the U.S. was rattled and chasing the game. Colombia let the U.S. have the ball but clogged up the middle of the pitch, forcing the U.S. into an uncomfortable possession game that saw much of the passing go to waste. Colombia meanwhile fired back on the counter, eventually earning a penalty and putting the game out of reach.

At the start of the second, Los Cafeteros played a fast-paced pressing game, keeping the ball and then winning it back instantly whenever they lost it. They played some of the best soccer they have played since that 2014 World Cup, leaving the U.S. with no way of finding themselves back into the game.

When the U.S. eventually found their footing, Colombia played swiftly on the counter, creating the better chances to put in the third goal.

It was a very complete effort from a very confident team.

Colombia put away its early chances...

Colombia didn't have many chances in the first half, which was a cagey affair, but when they got the chances, they put them away. First came the corner kick goal which was brilliantly executed.

Then came the penalty goal which came from some fortunate luck and poor decision making from DeAndre Yedlin.

...The U.S. didn't.

The Americans had more chances in the first half than the Colombians did. They got three free kicks in close proximity to the net and either fired right into the wall or missed the net.

Colombia conceded possession to the U.S. and yet Jurgen Klinsmann's team had no idea what to do with the ball. The players constantly ran into one another, taking away their space and ultimately hindering their own progress.

They had ample time to get a tying goal after falling behind but failed to really press Colombia for the first 45 minutes.

The U.S. improved in the second half, but only just.

This was supposed to be a banner night for the home side. Klinsmann proclaimed before the game that Colombia was "beatable," all but promising a win.

And yet his team showed that they were second rate against the cream of the soccer world. In possession the team looked lost and sluggish, the players not seemingly reading one another at all.

Attack was one-dimensional, most of it coming from the flanks and then being shut down with ease.

Clint Dempsey had his moments but was also selfish on a tight play in the second half when he opted to shoot instead off dishing off to a wide open teammate.

Michael Bradley's greatest contribution on the night was tripping Rodriguez. Otherwise he lost possession constantly and looked out of his depth in orchestrating the U.S.'s play.

The team improved once Bobby Wood and Jermaine Jones came off in favor the "rookies" Christian Pulisic and Darlington Nagbe as the offense became more direct and far swifter.

But in making those changes, Klinsmann exposed his slow backline all the more, allowing Colombia more space to create their best chances of the entire game.

If this is how the U.S. plans to operate for the balance of the tournament, then it will be a swift three-game run.