US battle to 1-1 draw at Colombia to open Olympic playoff [VIDEO]

Photo credit: AFP

The United States sweated to a 1-1 draw at Colombia in the opening leg of a 2016 Olympic qualifying playoff at Estadio Metropolitano.

In steamy conditions, Luis Gil scored his third goal of this Olympic qualifying cycle in the fifth minute, finishing a cross from Mario Rodriguez to stake the visitors to an early lead.

Colombia struck back from the penalty spot through Juan Fernando Quintero in the 67th, but couldn’t otherwise break through the determined US defense.

The USA almost made it 2-0 in the 26th, when Jordan Morris fired a shot that Colombian keeper Cristian Bonilla couldn’t handle but Gil’s bid to fire home the rebound was wide.

Colombia equalized in the 67th after Colombia substitute Rafael Santos Borre was brought down by a challenge from Kellyn Acosta and Quintero converted the penalty, firing right of substitute goalkeeper Cody Cropper.

Cropper came on at halftime in place of Ethan Horvath, who had remained in the match after a frightening collision with Colombian forward Andrews Renteria.

The series now shifts to the United States for the second leg on Tuesday in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas.

SEE MORE: Schedule of international games on US TV and live streaming