[U.S. UNDER-20 MEN] The U.S. under-20 national team dropped its second game at the Cuadrangular Internacional in Arequipa, Peru, when it lost to Colombia, 2-0.

Colombia won on second-half goals scored in rapid succession by Javier Calle, who converted a controversial penalty kick awarded after a foul was whistled during a corner kick, and Fabian Castillo following a U.S. turnover.

The U.S. starters included seven Mexican-Americans -- five based in Mexico -- plus Houston Dynamo rookie midfielder Jose Navas Cobo, who was raised in Colombia, German-bred Jerome Kiesewetter, goalie Cody Cropper, born to an English father, raised in Minnesota and now playing at Ipswich Town, and Floridian Cody Veeder, an 18-year-old defender with Baltimore Crystal Palace of the D-2 Pro League.

Many of the players are on the young side for the purposes of competing for spots on next year's U.S. U-20 team, but the trip gives U.S. coach Thomas Rongen and his staff that includes for MLS star Dave van den Bergh a chance to weigh their progress.

This is particularly true of the Mexican-based players who cannot be evaluated week in and week out. Cousins Emilio Orozco and Moises Orozco and Victor Garza play together at Tigres, which has one of the best youth programs in Mexico. Tigres' U-19s toured Europe in August, and Garza, who came off the bench for the USA against Colombia, was named the MVP at three different tournaments.

The USA will play host Peru on Friday and a placement match on Sunday.

Sept. 8 in Arequipa
USA 0 Colombia 2. Goals: Calle 48, Castillo 51.
USA -- Cropper, E.Orozco (G.Garza, 59), Flores, Veeder (Agbossoumonde, 69), De La Fuente, Zamora (Shanosky, 59), Navas Cobo, Nungaray, M.Orozco (V.Garza, 70), Huezo, Kiesewetter.
Colombia -- Mosquera (Bonilla, 75), Arias, Ospina (Franco, 81), Saiz, Quinonez (Diaz, 84), Cabezas, Lara, Calle, Castillo (Carrillo, 79), Mendoza (Cordoba, 70), Berrio (Valencia, 61).