In a region where rigorous exams are scarce, the United States sees the Copa América as the only significant opportunity to have a challenge before the 2026 World Cup.
“A World Cup at home is the greatest thing we will have in our career,” acknowledged attacker Christian Pulisic. “It is a special moment for sports in the United States.”
The American team begins the tournament on June 23 in Arlington, Texas against Bolivia, four days later it will face Panama in Atlanta and will close the group stage against Uruguay on July 1 in Kansas City, Missouri.
The United States could face Brazil in the quarterfinals, but both players and coaching staff see the tournament as another step toward June 12, 2026, when the Americans will make their World Cup debut in Inglewood, California.
“The Copa América is key for the growth of the group and I think it is an important tournament for us as a team. This is the last major tournament before the World Cup. We will have the Gold Cup, but the caliber of teams does not compare to the Copa América,” said coach Gregg Berhalter.
Berhalter, who stepped down from coaching when his contract expired at the end of 2022 amid a tumultuous time, returned to the bench in September. The basis for it is the same as in the 2022 World Cup, where the United States lost in the round of 16 to the Netherlands.
Pulisic, 25, arrives at the Copa América after his best season, author of 12 goals with AC Milan, one in the Champions League and two in the Europa League. He scored the equalizer against Brazil in the warm-up match on Tuesday — his 29th international goal in 68 appearances.
“He’s had some unfortunate injuries along the way and he’s been in places where he didn’t get the best opportunity to show himself and he wasn’t the number one option, but I think everyone in this country knows how talented he is,” forward Haji Wright said. , who has been his teammate in the senior team and in the U17 team that participated in the category World Cup in 2015.
Tyler Adams, captain of the United States in the last World Cup and member of the 2015 U17 team, is returning to his best fitness after 15 frustrating months with Bournemouth. He did not play with his Premier League club between March 2023 and until March 13 due to a tear in his right Achilles tendon that required surgery. But after his return he was limited by back spasms.
The most sensitive loss will be that of right back Sergiño Dest, who will miss the tournament due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament playing for PSV Eindhoven. This opened the door for 21-year-old Joe Scally. Chris Richards will start on defense alongside Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson.
This will be the fifth time that the United States plays the Copa América. They were eliminated in the group stage in 1993 and 2007, while they finished fourth in 1995 and 2016.
“You can see that we are hitting the mark on the field,” said Brenden Aaronson, midfielder for Union Berlin of the Bundesliga. “And I think we will continue to improve,” he added.
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