Copa América: The Big Test for the United States
The United States national team faces the upcoming Copa América as the host country, determined to achieve the best results in this first test ahead of the major event marked in red on their calendar: the 2026 World Cup, which they will host alongside Mexico and Canada.
Coached by Gregg Berhalter, the U.S. team has been placed in Group C with Uruguay, Bolivia, and Panama. The Stars and Stripes arrive at the Copa América following a great run of form last March, having won their third consecutive Concacaf Nations League title with a 2-0 victory over Mexico in the final.
However, before their debut as hosts, the United States suffered a heavy 1-5 defeat to Colombia and partially redeemed themselves with a 1-1 draw against Brazil.
A team with excellent results
Berhalter boasts a record of 43 wins in 71 matches as the head coach of the U.S. national team, making him the third coach with the most victories in the team's history, tied with Bob Bradley. Not being a member of Conmebol, the U.S. does not have a long history in the Copa América, but this year will be the second time they host the tournament in their five participations.
Their first participation dates back to 1993, when the U.S. team was eliminated in the group stage, while in 1995 they finished fourth after losing to Colombia 4-1 in the third-place match. In 2007, in their third appearance, the Americans did not earn a single point, while in 2016, in the Copa América Centenario, they finished fourth again, losing to Colombia 1-0 in the third-place match.
A team with experience
Berhalter has a young team with good international experience, already established in elite European football clubs. Their most representative player is Christian Pulisic, a winger for AC Milan and a Champions League winner during his time at Chelsea in the English Premier League. Pulisic also played for Borussia Dortmund.
Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah play for Juventus in the Italian Serie A. The contingent in England includes Tyler Adams, who plays for Bournemouth, while Antonee Robinson and Tim Ream are with Fulham. Folarin Balogun, a forward for AS Monaco, Jesús Ferreira from FC Dallas, and Ricardo Pepi from PSV Eindhoven are the main forwards for the U.S., alongside Pulisic.
In a group with Uruguay, Bolivia, and Panama, the U.S. national team aims to reach the knockout stage and compete with the strongest teams on the continent, among which Brazil and Argentina are favorites.
