After eight years, the USA took the field as hosts once again of the Copa America. While nothing is a given, the team opened the tournament with a favorable matchup against Bolivia. As expected, the team dominated possession and largely delivered on their status as favorites in the match. In the end, a pair of goals for the Americans in the first half delivered a win and a clean sheet to open the campaign.
The USA lined up in the now familiar 4-3-3… or depending on how things are drawn a 4-2-3-1. Notably, Tyler Adams started as the Stars and Stripes were able to feature a first-choice XI to open the tournament.
GIFS OF BIG D ENE… BIG GOALS IN DALLAS
Things got started WITH A FRICKIN WORLDIE BY CHRISTIAN PULISIC THREE MINUTES INTO THE GAME.
Usually the USA scores on set pieces by being tall on set pieces not by being lethal from behind the arc.
The USA kept the tempo high but by the 20th minute the pace of the game dropped to a moderate one. As the half wore on the Americans kept most of the ball and Bolivia kept most of the… getting yellow cards for kicking Gio Reyna.
In a really important development for the team Weston McKennie did show up with his shirt tucked in… entered his steely-eyed midfield butcher era.
Then the USA scored A SICK TEAM GOAL BY CUTTING THROUGH THE BOLIVIA MIDFIELD AND THE VISITORS ARE TRYING TO TAME A BRONCO THAT IS IS THROWING THEM WHEREVER IT WANTS.
The second half opened with a similar pace as the first ended with but it looked like the USA had figured something out at the half. Namely, that Bolivia’s midfield is there for the taking. Just under 10 minutes after the second 45 began, the USA nearly worked another team goal but it was ruled offside.
The USA continued to dominate possession and started shutting things down a bit and taking fewer risks going forward to seal the win. In the 65th minute Balogun came off for Ricardo Pepi and Reyna made way for Johnny Cardoso signaling the move to a more cautious approach in midfield.
Pepi would have a pair of fantastic chances that wouldn’t find the back of the net for the forward. It seemed like the universe was conspiring against him as the second attempt forced Bolivia keeper Guillermo Viscarra into a double save. Another goal would not come as the final whistle blew and the USA came away with a 2-0 win.
While it was a solid win, the team clearly has some work to do to in terms of being constantly dangerous in the attack. There were some nice moments but it didn’t look like the USA was able to produce them at will despite dominating possession. Two goals was a fair result, but it seemed like the USA left a good bit on the table.
