For football fans, 2024 is a cracker. We’ve already had AFCON and Asia Cup earlier in the year, and this summer we get the Euro’s and the Copa America. In both of the competitions played, hosts Ivory Coast and Qatar put home advantage to good use and won the tournament. So both Germany and USA will have taken note.
The latter is the focus here, and there is a David versus Goliath feel to the opening game of Group C in the 2024 Copa America as the United States of America takes on Bolivia on June 23rd, 2024.
The USA begin their Copa America campaign with an interesting matchup against Bolivia and the tournament hosts will be looking for a perfect start, with Uruguay and Panama in the group. Top two qualify, and the runners up will face the winners of Group D (likely Brazil), and topping sees a game against that groups second spot, which is one of Colombia, Costa Rica and Paraguay. The winners of these two Quarter-Finals then meet in the Semi-Final.
This is the first competitive meeting between these teams with their two previous friendlies ending in emphatic victories for the USA. The 13th-best national team according to FIFA are huge favourites and anything less than a victory would be met with disappointment.
28/05/2018 – USA 3-0 Bolivia
29/05/2016 – USA 4-0 Bolivia
USA Run-down
The Stars and Stripes are in their fifth Copa America and this is the second time hosting after reaching the semi-final when the Copa America Centenario in 2016, and you’d expect the home fans to roar them to similar success this year.
Of course seeing as this is South America’s major tournament, the USA appear by invitation only, and on their debut in 1993 they didn’t make it past the group stage. The next one in 1995 they did make the Semi’s, but this meant a hiatus until 2007 when again they didn’t pass the group stage again.
The USA are managed by former 44 capped international Gregg Berhalter, who played for Crystal Palace in the Championship under Steve Bruce and Trevor Francis. His playing career took him to the Netherlands and Germany, and his also managed in Sweden.
His first spell as USMNT Head coach started in 2018, and he won the Gold Cup and Nations League, before leading the team to round of 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His contract expired, with assistant Anthony Hudson named interim head coach before being replaced by fellow assistant B.J. Callaghan. Then eventually in June 2023, they found his replacement by hiring him again, starting after the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup (which the USA exited on penalties against Panama in the Semi-Finals in July 23).
Under B.J. Callaghan, the Yanks successfully defended their trophy in 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals by winning 3–0 against Mexico in the semi-final before defeating Canada 2–0 in the final in June 23.
And Gregg Berhalter repeated the trick for the 3rd consecutive win for the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League Finals earlier this year.
His return saw three wins over the first four friendly matches and they defeated Trinidad & Tobago 4-2 on aggregate in the Nations League quarterfinal.
The semi-final against Jamaica was the first thing on the agenda for 2024 and they recovered from an early opener to send the game to extra time before winning the tie 3-1.
Tyler Adams and Giovanni Reyna scored in the final against Mexico as the Yanks lifted a third consecutive CONCACAF Nations League.
Prior to this game against Bolivia, the USA host two friendlies in June that will give a good idea of form against Colombia and Brazil.
Bolivia Form
La Verde is currently 86th in the World Rankings and their fortunes cannot be any more contrasted from their American opponents. Although Bolivia won the Copa America at home in 1963 and finished runners-up in 1997, a run to the quarter-finals in 2015 ended a winless streak in the competition since 1997.
Bolivia have lost all their games at the last three tournaments and Antonio Carlos Zago, who was appointed as head coach in late 2023, has a big job on his hands.
Their bad performances in recent tournaments must be washed out of the system quickly, and getting a result against the US would represent a dream start to their campaign.
There was a single win from the first five friendly matches of 2023 and their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign didn’t get off to a better start with heavy defeats to both Brazil and Argentina in September.
Two more defeats followed and Gustavo Costas was sacked while his successor was able to inspire a reaction with a 2-nil home victory over Peru, their first win after five games of the series.
Bolivia were close to starting 2024 with a draw against 2019 African champions Algeria but Aissa Mandi scored a late winner. However, they made amends with a lone-goal victory over Andorra thanks to Ramiro Vaca’s goal in the first half.
They go in as firm underdogs in a group containing Uruguay, Panama and the US but this campaign is a test of the players’ character and determination. Despite the odds stacked against them, they have the opportunity to prove that they can compete with the very best teams across North, and South America and the Caribbeans.
Match tickets
This Copa America match-up takes place on Sunday, 23 June 2024 with kick-off scheduled for 11 PM UK time. Match tickets are available for sale on the websites of both national federations as well as the tournament organizers so you can hurry to cop yours.
The 80,000 capacity AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, is set to host this game and it should be a special occasion to kick off this tournament at a spectacular arena. USA fans will certainly be dominating the attendance figures so travelling fans must be sure to secure their match tickets on time.
For those still finding a way to purchase USA vs Bolivia tickets, we advise that you make your search on a ticket resale site.
Team news
Gregg Berhalter had a fully fit squad to choose from for the March international break and he will hope that stays the same by the time Copa America kicks off. The fitness of Tyler Adams is also important as the influential midfielder has been out injured for most of the season and he must be conditioned carefully till the summer.
Bolivia also has a clean bill of health at the time of writing.
Line-ups
Christian Pulisic is perhaps the first name on the USA’s team sheet with the captain having revitalised his career since moving to AC Milan. The forward is more consistent due to the continuity of playing time at club level and he holds the key to his team’s fortunes this summer.
USA: Turner; Dest, Richards, Robinson, Robinson; Musah, McKennie, Adams; Weah, Balogun, Pulisic
It is important that Bolivia prioritise protecting Guillermo Viscarra’s goal and the back five in front of him must work as a resilient unit. La Verde can form a solid core and depend on chances from counterattacking situations.
Bolivia: Viscarra; Medina, Quinteros, Haquin, Suarez, Fernandez; Bejarano, Villamil, Ursino, Vaca; Algarañaz
Prediction
The USA are expected to sweep their opponents away but they must be cautious of falling for an opening day giant-killing. Bolivia, on the other hand, must adopt a safety-first approach to avoid getting overwhelmed by superior opponents.
The USA should have too much for Bolivia and we could see a big scoreline here.
USA 3-0 Bolivia
