BARRANQUILLA, Colombia (March 25, 2016) -- The U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team earned what it sought Friday evening, notching a key road goal and a 1-1 draw against Colombia in the first leg of its two-match Olympic Qualifying playoff.
Chicago Fire midfielder Matt Polster started and played a full 90 minutes in the match, which saw the U.S. strike in just the fifth minute with a goal courtesy of Luis Gil.
Battling temperatures that reached well into the 80s and an emboldened home side, the U.S. was forced to use its first substitution to replace injured goalkeeper Ethan Horvath.