The first leg is scheduled to take place later today at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla, where temperatures of around 33 degrees are expected.

The return fixture set for the Toyota Stadium Dallas in Texas on Tuesday (March 29).

Colombia, who qualified for the play-off by virtue of finishing runners-up behind Argentina at the 2015 South American Youth Football Championship, have not competed in the Olympic men’s football tournament since Barcelona 1992.

"The possibility of going to the Olympic Games is a huge motivation, as it’s not every day you get to play in that tournament," said Colombia striker Harold Preciado.  

"We also know it’s been a long time since we’ve featured at the tournament, so we really want to get through this play-off and realise our dream."

Preciado will be hoping for a starting role but faces stiff competition from the likes of  Andres Renteria, Roger Martinez and his Deportivo Cali team-mate Rafael Santos Borre.

The US, who last took part at Beijing 2008, have included 11 of the players involved in the team's third-place finish in Olympic qualifying on home soil.

There, they beat Canada 2-0 in a play-off after losing by the same scoreline against Honduras in the semi-finals.

The squad also features nine players with senior caps, and seven from the 2015 Under-20 World Cup side that narrowly defeated Colombia 1-0 in the round of 16.

"We’ve got a good group with a mix of young and experienced players," said US coach Andreas Herzog.

"We need get a good result in Colombia so as to secure our qualification at home, and Dallas has always been a good venue for the national team."

The Rio 2016 Olympic football tournament is due to begin on August 4, with the final taking place on August 20.

Brazil have already qualified as hosts along with Algeria, Argentina, Denmark, Fiji, Germany, Honduras, Iraq, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea and Sweden.