Copa America 2024 coming to the United States represents a fantastic opportunity for the men’s national team to do something it has never done in the history of the program; win a major international competition outside the friendly confines of CONCACAF.
It’s a US side that’s called everyone in from Europe, has been laser-focused on the last consequential soccer it will play until the 2026 World Cup (remember, there’s no hexagonal or octagonal when you’re the host nation), and gets to be at home against Argentina, Brazil, and anyone else it might face in the knockout stages.
The Americans also got a cupcake draw with Bolivia, Panama, and Uruguay in their group, but they’ll need to grab at least one of the last two matches by the scruff of the neck to get an opportunity to advance to the “elite eight” of the tournament.
And while a 2-0 win might sound like a good way to start what is the second-deepest regional tournament in the world, La Verde are the 84th team in the Coca-Cola FIFA rankings for a reason. The USA ranks 11th by the same metric, though few would put the Americans ahead of Germany who list as 16th.
The Americans beat the worst team in South America thanks to another moment of individual brilliance by the most-talented player to ever wear their shirt in Christian Pulisic.
They also got a cheap one from Folarin Balogun, who likely would have been closed down or at worst stopped by the keeper if the Nats were facing any other team in the tournament.
And while there were plenty more opportunities in what was a better second half for Gregg Berhalter’s side, including a bevy of chances that just lacked the last touch from striker sub Ricardo Pepi, that’s not going to be enough to get to the semifinals of this tournament.
Panama and Uruguay aren’t challengers for a deep World Cup run at this point, and they’re probably not as in contention to win this tournament. But they are capable, and they likely wouldn’t have allowed the Balogun goal.
A US defense that looked shaky under little pressure, particularly from left center back Chris Richards, will be much more tested in the next two matches. Tim Ream at 36 years of age is enough to know all the words to “No Scrubs” by TLC, and as the anchor of the defense for better or worse, he’s going to need to keep the rest of the back four in line.
But these matches will be won in the midfield, where Gio Reyna has to be better even if he and his father have a blood oath hatred of the current head coach. Think what you will about the domestic soccer version of the Hatfield’s vs. the McCoy’s, but Berhalter rightfully yanked Reyna after an uninspired opening match.
The difference for the USA in the second half against Bolivia, besides a poorer team chasing the game ineffectively, was the freedom with which the side played. While the chances didn’t equate to goals, the xG was much better. And if you believe in process over outcome, allowing players to exchange positions in the offensive half more freely will be necessary to find goals.
And while that could put more pressure on Tyler Adams to be dug in as a holding midfielder, trying to pass and grind a 1-0 result isn’t going to work either. Berhalter has never had this much talent with the ball at their feet before. He must loosen the reigns if this team is going to make a run during its last meaningful soccer action for two years.
The USMNT of the past had to grit-and-grind-and-heart its way to international results against top-tier sides. But with Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Pepi, it’s time to let these guys open up the throttle. A 1-0 quarterfinal loss isn’t good enough for this tournament. The growth of the American game and talent now on hand can’t allow it.
The Americans have been close to international success before. The 1995 Copa America side, fresh off a 1-0 loss to eventual champions Brazil in the ‘94 World Cup Round of 16, fell by the same score to the same team in the Copa semifinals. But on the way they beat an Argentina with Gabriel Batistuta and Diego Simeone 3-0 in one of the more unexpected outcomes in Copa history, and outlasted Mexico in the quarters via a penalty shootout after a 0-0 match.
The United States also got close at the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa, holding a 2-0 lead in the final over Brazil at halftime before the floodgates opened in an eventual 3-2 defeat. But even in that tournament, which included a gorgeous 3-0 win over Spain at the height of their tiki-taka brilliance, the Nats only advanced out of the group stage with a 1-0-2 record. They went forward via not even goal difference, but total goals scored (four to Italy’s three across the three group matches).
History will also mention the inaugural 1930 World Cup, where a team of players with actual jobs at home finished third place in Uruguay, the eventual champions.
It’s time for this US team to join this list, and hopefully spark a golden generation that changes the perception and reality of domestic soccer forever.
But to get there, they’ve got to play fast and loose, score, and not be afraid of the occasional counterattack. Forget the scars of the past, it’s time to march forward.
And that is figuratively, but also literally on the pitch.
