Jun 27, 2024, 08:00 ET
Given the bad moment of Mexico and the lack of consolidation of Canada, the United States presented itself as CONCACAF’s best hope to go far in the Copa América.
The selection of USA live an unprecedented moment: the opportunity to face the America Cup on its own soil, with a golden generation of footballers more than willing to show the world that the North American team has grown in level against the powers of CONMEBOL that historically dominate the region.
The team of Gregg Berhalter received in the tournament draw a group where no problems were anticipated in qualifying for the quarterfinals. In their debut match, the United States pulled out all the stops in a 2-0 victory over Boliviabut it did little to quell doubts about whether he can handle the expectations heading into the tournament.
“I think we could have scored more goals.” [ante Bolivia]”, said Christian Pulisiccaptain of the Stars and Stripes, who also scored the opening goal just in the third minute.
The group of players that the United States brings to this competition is, perhaps, the most talented group in its entire history. Pulisic is coming off a great campaign with AC Milanwhile Weston McKennie did the same in the Juventuswhere it is paired with Timothy Weah. In total, Berhalter called up five players from the Premier Leaguefive from Serie A, and three from Bundesliga, among others. Only three play in MLS, the local league.
In view of Panama In the southeastern city of Atlanta, the Americans will have another opportunity to build confidence and, in the process, practically secure their place in the next round with a victory against the Canaleros. Historically, the United States dominates direct confrontations against its CONCACAF rival: they have won 17 of the 26 games they have played.
Assuming that the United States can overcome the test posed by the Central Americans, the difficulty will rise significantly when faced with Uruguayteam led by Marcelo Bielsa and currently in 14th place in the FIFA ranking, three below Berhalter’s team.
Although the United States has not defeated Uruguay since 2002, there are few historical confrontations between the two nations: in seven games, the North Americans have won two, the South Americans one, and there are four draws between the two. In the only Copa América history, Uruguay beat the United States 1-0 in 1993.
Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay await in the final rounds
On only two occasions – 1995 and 2016 – has the United States team managed to reach the semifinals of the America Cup. Although a similar performance is perhaps expected this time, the road to the last four will not be easy at all.
In Group D, which will cross with the one faced by the United States, are Brazil and Colombia. The tie in the match between Brazil and Costa Rica It means that, currently, the Selecao is in second place in its sector. With two days left, the combination of possible results does not rule out the United States facing either of the two rivals in the quarterfinals.
No scenario caresses. The United States has one victory in 21 games against Brazil, while Colombia he just prescribed a 5-1 beating on June 8, in a friendly match prior to the Copa América. The Americans faced that duel with the vast majority of their starting team, while the coffee growers had the luxury of resting some of their own.
Assuming they manage to overcome that barrier in the quarterfinals, they could face the Uruguayans again, or now face one of the aforementioned teams from Group D.
Will they be favorites in the 2026 World Cup?
The only team in CONCACAF history to reach a Copa América final is precisely Mexico, the United States’ biggest rival at the soccer level. In 1993 and 2001, the Aztecs fell to Argentina and Colombia, respectively. Being able to equal (or even surpass) what Mexico has done in this competition would have more than special meaning given the current moment that both teams are experiencing, and what it can mean for 2026.
The United States, Mexico and Canada will host the next FIFA World Cupand one America Cup Strong performance on the part of Berhalter’s team will be key to reaching the next World Cup with strength, 32 years after the first time they received it and the football machinery of the country that has it at its current moment was launched.
The United States has only two players older than 30 on its Copa America roster, defender Tim Ream (36) and goalkeeper Sean Johnson (35), so it is understood that the team continues to rise thanks to its youth. Pulisic, its star player, is only 25, while Gio Reyna, Yunus Musah and Ricardo Pepi, all promising players who already play in Europe, are each 21.
Before anticipating any eventuality, the path to changing the narrative is clear: have a good Copa América. None of the host countries will obviously have a qualifying campaign towards the World Cup, which is why this tournament takes on greater importance.
Berhalter, for his part, will also need to prove that he can have upward management, since US Soccer’s decision to bring him back for the 2022-26 period was frowned upon by a good part of the fans. If the United States does not lift in the remainder of the current tournament, it could well go from being a rising team for the World Cup it will host, to looking for a new coach in the middle of the process.
