USA vs Bolivia-Tournament hosts USA face Bolivia at AT&T Stadium on Sunday in the first Group C clash of the 2024 Copa America.
In their previous encounter, the Yanks drew 1-1 with Brazil, while La Verde are on a three-match losing streak following a 3-0 loss against Colombia.
Match preview
USA vs Bolivia-Coming into the tournament as the 11th ranked team according to FIFA, expectations are high for the American in the Copa America.
The US is participating in the tournament for the first time since 2016 when they previously hosted the major event and finished fourth, their joint-best finish in the competition.
No team from outside of South America has ever won the competition, and on paper, the United States seem the most likely to break that streak, having suffered just one loss to CONMEBOL opposition since September 2019 (3-0 vs. Colombia this June).
Greg Berhalter was rehired as head coach last fall, however, the team has had a mix of good and bad performances, defeating just one opponent ranked in the top 50 according to FIFA (a 2-0 win over Mexico in March 2024).
They are coming off a strong performance against former five-time world champions Brazil earlier this month, giving them a much-needed boost after a 5-1 defeat against Colombia the day before, their worst defeat since November 2016 (4-0 in Costa Rica).
The Stars and Stripes have not made a winning start to the competition since the 1995 Copa America in Uruguay, beating Chile 2-1 on that occasion courtesy of Erik Wijnald.
As CONMEBOL’s lowest seeded team (84th), little can be expected from Bolivia in this tournament, having lost a combined 7-1 in their last three internationals.
Antonio Carlos Jago won the tournament with Brazil as a player in 1999, but his first managerial stint on the international stage did not go so well, losing five of his seven matches in charge. Football.
USA vs Bolivia-Collecting even a point in the Copa America this year would be a feat, as the Bolivians have lost 11 consecutive group matches at the tournament since 2015.
USA vs Bolivia-Bolivia has won 8 consecutive matches while scoring the opening goal, although they have lost their last 2 Copa America matches after drawing 1st blood, most recently in 2021 vs. Paraguay (3-1).
The Bolivians’ last victory over CONCACAF opposition came in January 2022 in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago, winning that match 5–0.
La Verde were winless and scoreless in their three previous meetings against the United States, although the teams have only met once in the Copa America in 1995, with Bolivia winning 1–0.
Team News
USA vs Bolivia-Sergino Dest was not selected for the U.S. squad after suffering a serious knee injury for his club team PSV Eindhoven, Christopher Lund is the team’s least experienced player with just three senior caps, while Tim Reim is the oldest American to be selected. At 36 years, 263 days, the competition surpassed the late Fernando Clavizzo (36 years, 145 days).
USA vs Bolivia-Christian Pulisic is the leading cap holder (68) among Americans selected for the tournament, while Josh Sargent, called up for the first time since the 2022 World Cup, scored 16 goals in 28 games with Norwich City in the Championship this past season.
USA vs Bolivia-Pulisic could move into a tie with Brian McBride for fifth all-time in goals this weekend, scoring his 29th goal with the national team in a draw against.
The Bolivians will be without Jairo Quinteros for the clash after the Bolivar defender tore his Achilles tendon, while ever-ready midfielder Moises Paniagua will not be able to take part as the 16-year-old has not been granted full parental approval to obtain a US entry visa.
Adalid Terrazas and Gustavo Almada were the only uncapped players selected by Jago for the competition, with the most experienced players being Lionel Justiniano (52), José Sagredo (54) and Carlos Lampe (55), who each have more than 50 senior caps.
Rodrigo Ramalo has seven goals for La Verde, more than any Bolivian player in the squad, with Ramiro Vaca their next highest scorer (four goals).
USA vs Bolivia Lineup:
USA Probable Starting Lineup:
Turner; Scally, Richards, Carter-Vickers, A. Robinson; Adams, Musah, McKenney; Weah, Pepy, Pulisic
Bolivia Probable Starting Lineup:
USA vs Bolivia-in the lamp; Medina, Hockin, Jusino, Joe. USA vs Bolivia-Sagredo; Saucedo; Terceros, Villamil, Vaca, Fernandez; Ramallo
USA vs Bolivia prediction: USA 2-0 Bolivia
USA vs Bolivia-As inconsistent as the Americans have been all year, Bolivia’s backline has too many holes and the South Americans lack coordination, which is why we believe the hosts will claim a comfortable win.