The midfielder scored from Mario Rodriguez's pass to put the US ahead in the fifth minute of a match played in intense heat. 

Their lead lasted until the 68th minute when Colombian playmaker Juan Quintero converted from the penalty spot after Kellyn Acosta had brought down Rafael Borre in the box.

Jordan Morris had a chance to double the US’s advantage in the second half but his shot hit the crossbar.

US coach Andreas Herzog was delighted with the draw ahead of the return leg at the Toyota Stadium Dallas in Texas on Tuesday (March 29).

"I think it was a really good result for us and we even had the chance to score a second goal when Morris hit the bar," he said.

"We could see that Colombia are a really good team, but the away goal was huge for us."

It was 91 degrees with 60 per cent humidity when the game kicked-off, but that did not prevent a fast start from the visitors as Gil fired the ball into the back of the net from Rodriguez’s cut back.

Colombia controlled the majority of possession though and nearly equalised 15 minutes later when Andrès Roa came agonisingly close to turning the ball home after a shot to the far post.

Gil had another chance to score in the 27th minute with Morris drawing Colombia goalkeeper Cristian Bonilla out of position but he could not find the target.

US goalkeeper Ethan Horvath was injured late in the first half and had to be replaced by Cody Cropper, who was called into action on multiple occasions before half-time.

Colombia continued to press in the second half, but it was the US that came closest to scoring during a rare spell of possession as Morris struck the woodwork.

A foul on Cropper on the goal line denied the hosts an equaliser, however, it eventually came through Quintero’s penalty after Acosta fouled Borre in the area. 

The South Americans looked the more likely of the two teams to snatch a winner but the Americans defended stubbornly to preserve their slender advantage.

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 US, who last took part at Beijing 2008, finished third in Olympic qualifying on home soil after beating Canada 2-0 in a playoff.

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

Fifteen of the 16 teams have already qualified with hosts Brazil being joined by Algeria, Argentina, Denmark, Fiji, Germany, Honduras, Iraq, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea and Sweden.