Fafa Picault earns first USMNT cap since 2016 in loss to Colombia

Fafa Picault earned his second cap for the United States Men’s National Team when he checked into Thursday night’s friendly with Colombia in Tampa Bay in the 58th minute.

The appearance was the first for Picault with the USMNT since joining the Philadelphia Union and just his second career international appearance. He earned his first cap when he came on as a substitute in a 3-1 win over Puerto Rico in May 2016.

The score was tied 2-2 when Picault entered for Anderlecht midfielder Kenny Saief and ended up a 4-2 loss after Colombia added a pair of goals in a five-minute span.

Wearing No. 14, Picault was deployed mostly down the left flank in head coach Dave Sarachan’s 4-2-3-1 formation. It was largely an uneventful half hour for Picault, who was able to make some smart runs but in the end didn’t create any clear chances to bring the U.S. back into the match.

The U.S. returns to the field on Tuesday with a friendly against Peru.

Borek Dockal, Andre Blake and Cory Burke are also away on international duty. Czech Republic plays Slovakia tomorrow at 9 a.m. EST in a UEFA Nations League match while Jamaica takes on Bonaire Sunday at 6 p.m. EST in a CONCACAF Nations League qualifier.