The United States men’s national team kicked off their 2024 Copa America campaign with a convincing 2-0 win over Bolivia at AT&T Stadium. Despite generating only 0.38 expected goals in the first half, the USMNT managed to score two goals before halftime. Christian Pulisic was the standout player of the match, opening the scoring in the third minute and setting up Folarin Balogun for the second goal. However, the team squandered several opportunities in the second half, showcasing a somewhat sloppy performance overall.
Player Performances and Ratings
– **Christian Pulisic (8/10):** Pulisic was undoubtedly the man of the match, not only for his early goal but also for his ability to break out of pressure and create opportunities for his teammates.
– **Folarin Balogun (6/10):** Despite scoring the second goal of the match, Balogun had a mixed performance with giveaways and a failed trick play. His redeeming goal showcased a nice run and finish.
– **Timothy Weah (7/10):** Weah was active early on the right flank and showed creativity on the ball. He had a promising shot from a tight angle in the second half.
– **Antonee Robinson (8/10):** Robinson grew into the match, providing options on the left wing and consistent overlaps. He deserved an assist that was missed by Ricardo Pepi.
– **Chris Richards (4/10):** Richards struggled throughout the match, consistently giving away possession and sparking Bolivia counter attacks. His passes were often wayward and led to dangerous situations.
– **Tyler Adams (6/10):** Adams had a decent showing in his first start, showing signs of rust but also some nice combinations with his teammates.
– **Weston McKennie (6/10):** McKennie had a quiet first half but found more advanced positions in the second half. His yellow card could be problematic in future games.
– **Giovanni Reyna (7/10):** Reyna wasn’t flashy but was effective in drawing fouls and tracking back defensively when needed. His presence rattled Bolivia at times.
– **Matt Turner (6/10):** Turner wasn’t tested much but was steady in playing out from the back, despite some issues with long distribution.
– **Joe Scally (6/10):** Scally had a shaky first half with multiple mishits and miscommunications, but he redeemed himself with a steadier second half.
– **Yunus Musah (7/10):** Musah brought energy off the bench and cleaned up a dangerous Bolivia opportunity in the 59th minute after a mistake by Richards.
– **Johnny Cardoso (6/10):** Cardoso had an unremarkable performance in midfield but helped close out the game in the final minutes.
– **Ricardo Pepi (6/10):** Pepi missed several chances to score, including a sitter from close range. However, he was denied by spectacular saves and showed determination in front of goal.
Overall, the USMNT showcased some promising moments but also highlighted areas for improvement. The team will need to work on their consistency and composure in front of goal as they face tougher opponents in the tournament. Coach Gregg Berhalter’s lineup changes proved effective, with players like Pulisic and Robinson standing out as key performers in the opening match.
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