USMNT won’t get past Bolivia in Copa America opener: ‘This is a big event for them’

Doug McIntyre

football journalist

Arlington, Texas – A quick look at the Copa América odds will tell you the story.

Of the 16 teams taking part in USA 2024, only three – Costa Rica, Jamaica and Panama – have a better chance of winning the tournament than Bolivia, according to the bookmaker.

That should leave the host United States Men’s National Team feeling pretty good about their prospects as they open their Copa schedule with a win over Bolivia on Sunday (kickoff at 6 PM ET on FOX and FOX Sports App).

Americans still take nothing for granted.

“We know this is a big event for them,” U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter said of Bolivia during Saturday’s pregame press conference at AT&T Stadium. “You don’t always qualify for the World Cup, but I think the Copa America is big for a team like Bolivia, so we know it’s going to be a difficult game.”

USMNT vs. Bolivia: Is this a must-win game for the United States? | Copa America tonight

But somewhere in their subconscious, it would be easy for America to overlook its past. green. FIFA ranks Bolivia 84th in the world (11th in the United States). They have played in the World Cup only once since 1950. And they went into this Copa with just one win in five matches this year. The remaining four were all losses. Nonetheless, Bolivia have become a more sophisticated and dangerous opponent since experienced Brazilian coach Antonio Carlos Zago took the reins late last year.

“This is a different team than you think on paper,” U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner told a small group of reporters in Dallas on Friday. “Ever since the coach changed back (in November), they’ve been going with a younger guard. They’ve been a deeper team, expecting just one or two chances. But now they seem to be trying to create more. They’re trying to create more.” They try to press a little higher and build up the defense, they have some talented players on the ball and if they get into the pocket and get space to come at us they can be a problem from range. “They like to shoot and put the ball into the box, but their zone is always against really good teams.”

That’s why Berhalter hasn’t even started preparing his squad for the second and third Group C matches, according to USMNT midfielder Yunus Musah. After Bolivia, the United States heads to Atlanta to face Concacaf foe Panama. They then conclude the first round with hotly anticipated matches against Uruguay, who are considered favorites to win the title after World Cup champion Argentina, and Brazil, a record five-time winner.

“Our focus now is Bolivia,” Musah said. “We’re just focused on that part.”

(USMNT lineup prediction: Who should Gregg Berhalter start in the Copa America?)

America knows it needs to bring intensity from the start on Sunday. This may not be easy in stadiums that may only be half full at best. A source told FOX Sports on Friday that only 30,000 tickets were sold for the “Jerry World” game. The glittering home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys can accommodate up to 100,000 fans.

The good news for the Americans is that the stadium’s temporary turf shouldn’t underperform like it did last March, when the U.S. got off to a slow start and was lucky not to lose to Jamaica in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals.

“This area seems to be doing much better,” Berhalter said. “The grass itself looked really good. We were amazed by the playing surface.”

And the United States will need to be fitter than they were in their previous two friendlies before the Copa, where they bounced back impressively to draw 1-1 against Brazil after losing 5-1 to Colombia. Midfielder Tyler Adams is still recovering from a hamstring and back ailment that has limited him to just three appearances for the United States since captaining his country at the 2022 World Cup, and he could make a brief cameo appearance off the bench against Brazil. . Forward Josh Sargent (foot injury) was not included in either tune-up. Berhalter said both will be available on Sunday, at least to some extent.

“Tyler was sharp in training, you wouldn’t know he hasn’t played many games this season,” defender Chris Richards said on Saturday.

It all worked out well for America.

“We are fully prepared,” defender Tim Lim said. “I want to start the tournament on a good note and achieve good results for the rest of the group matches and beyond.”

Doug McIntyre is a football writer for FOX Sports. Before joining FOX Sports in 2021, he worked as a staff writer for ESPN and Yahoo Sports, where he covered: USA The men’s and women’s national teams have participated in several FIFA World Cups. follow him @ByDougMcIntyre.

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