On Sunday, the US will play Bolivia in the tournament’s opening match. These are the players to be aware of, things to monitor, and strategies for getting praise at the bar.
You want to make an impression on your pals during Copa América, then? We’re assisting you in gathering insightful opinions about the USMNT so that the group chat will adore you. or, like, a few emojis that look like thumbs up. You’ll become the resident soccer expert at your neighborhood pub, watch party, or buddy group—from important players to expectations.
Things are becoming serious.
Many people say they haven’t watched the US since the 2022 World Cup.
Even though they lost in the Round of 16, that World Cup wasn’t a bust. However, it was not intended to be the USMNT’s final destination on their ascent up the mountain of international soccer.
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In Qatar, the US squad had the youngest roster. Their average age, weighted by minutes played, was only 24.5, according to FBref. After eighteen months, the USMNT is getting close to peak performance. Based on their Copa América tune-up matches against Brazil and Colombia, Gregg Berhalter’s preferred lineup average for the summer is 25.3.
This is unquestionably still a young squad. The US’s primary goal for the 2026 World Cup is to perform well at home. However, this team is approaching a prime time to contend and has a ton of major event experience under its collective belt.
Anyhow, how will the US fare?
Anticipate two distinct iterations of the USMNT. Both of those iterations will utilize patient possession play in the back and operate off of some variation of a 4-3-3 formation. However, there will be a lot of differences.
In their first two group stage matches, the US will play as the first version of themselves against Bolivia and Panama.
The USMNT tries to use the ball to go past defensive blocks when they have the talent advantage. The wide players will switch up, the center backs will advance, and the squad as a whole will counterpress. In the absence of several inventive passers, Gregg Berhalter’s team will not resemble Spain. However, they possess enough talent to defeat their first two opponents.
If the US advances, we’ll witness the second iteration of the team play Uruguay in the group stage championship game and in the knockout stages.
The core of Berhalter’s gameplan will switch from passing patterns to disciplined defense in a 4-3-3 mid-block against South American powerhouses who have attackers that just cannot be left unattended. The USMNT will not entirely give up on utilizing the ball against Uruguay and other opponents; in a recent friendly, they had some exquisite passing passages against Brazil. They will nevertheless play possession more carefully.
Keep a watchful eye on these people.
His 2022 World Cup involvement was restricted, cloaked in secrecy at first, and then brimming with drama. Gio Reyna is now certain to start.
In the US pool, Reyna’s combination of deft passing and tight control is unrivaled. I said before that there aren’t many visionary passers in the United States. The closest living American to that standard is Reyna. He plays as an attack-oriented central midfielder and occasionally completes beautiful slipped passes like this one:
GIO REYNA TO HAJI WRIGHT MAKING MAGIC FOR THE #USMNT! 🪄 pic.twitter.com/p5R7PX1unI
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 22, 2024Reyna’s fingerprints will be all on it if the USMNT creates a dangerous opportunity through the center. The US’s assault will go up if he can figure out how to free Pulisic on the left flank.
Tim Ream is a seasoned center defender who makes accurate readings both on and off the ball. The team’s senior member from the United States is Ream, 36. Although he occasionally makes mistakes, his deft distribution will help him start the group stage, and his defensive timing will be very important later in the competition.
The guy in goal for the USMNT, Matt Turner, is one player who goes unnoticed. Although his club season ended in catastrophe, he has shown to be a dependable goalkeeper for his country. The Turner who began and had 11 saves against Brazil will be necessary if the US is to get past the quarterfinals.
