The hosts USA will kick start their Copa America 2024 campaign against Bolivia on Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
Bolivia, who are on a three-match losing run, will look to return to winning ways when they square up against USA in their backyard in the first match of Group C on Sunday. La Verde have not been at their best in the recent past. The hosts have an opportunity to start the campaign in the best possible way by claiming all three points.
A lot is expected from the USA heading into this tournament as they are currently 11th on the FIFA rankings. This is the first time they are taking part in Copa America since hosting it back in 2016, where they finished fourth. A higher finish will be their objective this time around.
They suffered a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Colombia in the second week of June, and it was their biggest defeat since 2016. Fortunately, USMNT managed to bounce back with a hard-fought draw against Brazil and will be heading into this one looking to get things going with a win.
Not much is expected from Bolivia as they are the lowest-ranked team in the tournament. Antonio Carlos Zago, who lifted the Copa America with Brazil back in 1999, is looking to create history. But things have not started well for him in his first managerial role at the international level as his team have lost five out of the seven games he has been in charge of.
They suffered defeat in each of their three friendly matches in June before heading into the Copa America and things don’t really look bright for them as they will square up against Uruguay, USA and Panama in Group C. Making it to the second round will be considered a success for them. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
USA
Sergino Dest was not called up for the tournament after picking up a knee injury for his club PSV Eindhoven. They do not really have any fresh injury concerns and are expected to go all out for the three points.
The hosts will go ahead with the classic 4-3-3 formation, where Matthew Turner will be in goal. Joe Scally and Antonee Robinson will feature as the full-back for the home team, while Chris Richards and Cameron Carter-Vickers will pair up in the heart of the defence.
Tyler Adams will be the holding midfielder, and he will have support from Yunus Musah and Weston McKennie. The trio will look to control the tempo and ensure the USA have the majority of the ball.
Multiple top clubs will be keeping a close eye on Musah, who is heading into the tournament on the back of a sensational debut season at AC Milan. Timothy Weah and Christian Pulisic will start on the flanks. They will provide width to their attacks and will look to create chances for Ricardo Pepi who will be leading the line.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Turner; Scally, Richards, Carter-Vickers, Antonee Robinson; Adams, Musah, McKennie; Weah, Pepi, Pulisic
Bolivia
Jairo Quinteros is out injured, while 16-year-old Moises Paniagua could not get an entry visa into the US as he was not given full parental authorisation. Meanwhile, Adalid Terrazas and Gustavo Almada have been called up to the national team for the first time.
The away team will go ahead with the 4-1-4-1 formation, where Carlos Lampe will be in goal. Diego Medina and Jose Sagredo will be the full-backs for Bolivia, while Adrian Jusino will feature in the heart of the defence alongside Luis Haquin.
Fernando Saucedo will be the defensive midfielder just in front of the back line. Miguel Terceros and Roberto Fernandez will take care of the flanks, while Gabriel Villamil will feature in the centre of the park alongside Ramiro Vaca.
They will look to ensure they protect the backline and not allow the USA to dominate possession too deep in their half. Rodrigo Ramallo will be leading the line for the visitors.
Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Lampe; Medina, Haquin, Jusino, Jo. Sagredo; Saucedo; Terceros, Villamil, Vaca, Fernandez; Ramallo
Key Stats
- Bolivia are heading into the Copa America on the back of three consecutive defeats.
- The USA are taking part in the Copa America for the first time since hosting it back in 2016.
- La Verde have lost each of their last 11 group games at the tournament and collecting even a point will be an achievement for them.
- USA’s 5-1 defeat to Colombia earlier this month was their biggest defeat since 2016.
- Bolivia are the lowest-ranked (FIFA Rankings) team in the continental tournament.
Player to Watch
Christian Pulisic
Pulisic is heading into the Copa America on the back of an exceptional debut season with AC Milan, where he contributed 26 goals (15 goals, 11 assists) in his 50 outings. The American winger has been in sensational form and he will be very important to his team’s chances of going the distance in their home tournament.
Prediction
USA 2-0 Bolivia
Given the kind of record Bolivia have at Copa America, it looks highly unlikely that they will put up a fight against the USA. They have suffered in the continental tournament since 2015 having lost each of their last 11 group games and this will most likely make it 12 in a row.
While the hosts are not heading into this fixture in the best of form, they are still expected to come out on top here. The Hard Tackle predicts an easy 2-0 win for the home team.
