United States vs Bolivia

Proceedings in 2024 Copa America Group C get underway at Texas’ AT&T Stadium as the United States take on Bolivia.

No strangers to Copa America, this is the United States’ fifth appearance as invitees and first since finishing fourth in 2016, another tournament they featured in as a host nation. Despite failing to live up to the billing in the lead-up to the event, picking up just two wins in six internationals (D1, L3), Gregg Berhalter’s men will commence their Group C journey heavily motivated after winning their third CONCACAF Nations League crown in March. Taking on CONMEBOL minnows Bolivia in their group opener could help the Stars and Stripes exorcise some ghosts from the past that have seen them start three of their four previous Copa America campaigns with a loss (W1). Adding to Berhlater’s confidence, his side held joint pre-tournament favorites Brazil to a 1-1 draw in their final warm-up fixture.

On the other hand, Bolivia will have to punch above their weight to progress past the Coppa America group stages for the first time since 2015, especially after losing three consecutive friendlies ahead of the tournament by a combined score of 7-1. That barren run forms part of a more sinister pattern that has seen them suffer 18 defeats across their last 22 matches (W3, D1), ominously failing to score in 12! As if that’s not disturbing enough, La Verde conceded 3+ goals in ten of those 22 games, which has been the case in their last two encounters against the US (L2). It keeps getting worse for the Bolivians, as they’ve lost ten consecutive Copa America group-stage outings since reaching the knockouts in 2015.