The United States Men’s National Team not only earned a place in the 2024 Copa América after reaching the 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League Finals but was also tabbed to host the tournament for the second time. The South American championship provides essential challenging competition in the absence of qualifying ahead of the upcoming World Cup. Drawn into Group C, the first opponent is Bolivia, which claimed the title in 1963. The match is set for AT&T Stadium (affectionately known as Jerry World) in Arlington, Texas, an 80,000-seat venue with a recently-installed Kentucky bluegrass surface.
This is the ninth all-time meeting between the two nations, which are splitting 2-2-4 records. Ranked 85th internationally by FIFA, Bolivia is currently at ninth place in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying with a single win in six matches, the lone victory coming on Matchday Five against cellar-dwelling Peru (2-0). La Verde (The Green) won the Copa América in 1963 and finished runners-up at the 1997 competition but have failed to surpass the group stage or register a single point in the three most recent editions. Pre-tournament friendlies involved defeats to Mexico (0-1), Ecuador (1-3), and Colombia (0-3).
With World Cup qualifying in shambles, Antônio Carlos Zago was hired to replace Gustavo Costas. The 55-year-old Brazilian enjoyed a lengthy globetrotting playing career before embarking on the typical itinerant managerial journey featuring 17 assistant and head coach stops, claiming the Recopa Gaúcha, the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B, and the Bolivian Primera División’s 2022 Apertura. He believes that the roster “has good technique” but is “missing a little more confidence,” tempering his “tough” nature with “a certain amount of affection.”
Zago named a 26-player roster for the tournament, largely the expected group minus a few of the regular talents. The domestic División de Fútbol Profesional is home to 20 of the call-ups, while three compete in European leagues. The team is without all-time leading goal scorer and cap earner Marcelo Martins Moreno, who retired following the fall’s qualifying matches. Regulars Jairo Quinteros and Henry Vaca are absent due to injuries.
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GOALKEEPERS (3): Carlos Lampe (Bolívar), Gustavo Almada (Universitario de Vinto), Guillermo Viscarra (The Strongest)
DEFENDERS (8): Jesús Sagredo (Bolívar), Diego Medina (Always Ready), Luis Haquín (Ponte Preta), Adrián Jusino (The Strongest), Roberto Fernández (Baltika Kaliningrad), José Sagredo (Bolívar), Marcelo Suárez (Always Ready), Yomar Rocha (Bolívar)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Leonel Justiniano (Bolívar), Miguel Terceros (Santos), Ramiro Vaca (Bolívar), Robson Tomé (Always Ready), Gabriel Villamil (LDU Quito), Boris Céspedes (Yverdon-Sport), Fernando Saucedo (Bolívar), Héctor Cuéllar (Always Ready), Adalid Terrazas (Always Ready)
FORWARDS (6): Jaume Cuéllar (Barcelona B), César Menacho (Blooming), Carmelo Algarañaz (Bolívar), Lucas Chávez (Bolívar), Rodrigo Ramallo (The Strongest), Bruno Miranda (The Strongest)
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Zago has utilized 4-5-1 and 3-4-3 formations in his brief tenure, with the players “more accustomed” to the latter set-up. He seeks to put forth a “team that tries to press and not let the [opponent] breathe” with a disciplined positional game. His “very specific” model focused on “aggressive transitions” has been described as “giving a lot of importance to having the ball” and “being the protagonist in the game” but “going after the goal” once recovering possession – his stated intent is to avoid “reactive, counter-attacking football” that parks the bus.
Projected Bolivia Starting XI (via BuildLineup.com)
Guillermo Viscarra assumed the number-one role during this cycle, and the manager has stuck with him. The 31-year-old The Strongest goalkeeper claimed the domestic league title last year but has struggled to provide the superlative performances required for Bolivia to punch above weight. Observers praise him as having “very good reflexes and [being] always well positioned,” using every inch of his 6’3” frame to parry away shots. While far from the most athletic member of his positional cohort, he plays a self-aware game of hanging back in the goal area, maintaining active footwork, and making safe saves instead of forcing catches.
Luis Haquín – a tall, physical centre-back who steps forward to beat attackers to the ball – competes on loan with Ponte Preta in Brazil’s Série B. He is strong in the air, goes to ground quickly, and thrives at poking away the ball from back-to-the-goal strikers. Normally a fullback, José Sagredo has moved centrally in the formation with his aggressive one-on-one stoppages but still has “the ability to carry [possession] forward” along with frequently intercepting the opposition’s passes. The Club Bolívar defender makes intelligent decisions in the final third but is exceedingly dangerous on set pieces with surprising aerial success. Boston-born Adrián Jusino is a highly athletic player with great speed, active footwork, and excellent timing. The 31-year-old is the main target on set pieces and brings a deep range of accurate long-distance distribution that can transition his team into attack in a matter of seconds.
Versatile Baltika Kaliningrad wide player Roberto Fernández can occupy a number of positions on the outside of the formation, displaying “good athleticism” and “smooth movement.” Pacey and athletic enough to cover the entire length of the field for the full 90 minutes, he “likes to make overlapping runs” and “has a really good crossing technique” along with frequent diagonal passes. Former Switzerland youth international Boris Céspedes enjoyed a strong season with Yverdon-Sport FC, contributing six goals and one assist in 30 matches and earning praise as one of the world’s best players in terms of ball retention. The versatile 29-year-old generalist is a highly accurate passer, wins headers in both halves, gets to ground quickly for tackles, and acquits himself well in the final third. There’s also Diego Medina of domestic side Always Ready, who can line up at centre-back with his “muscular build” and impressive speed. Target Scouting notes “high pressure on the direct opponent” but a “pretty cautious approach” to not join the attack and limiting himself to short-range distribution.
“Defending deep and quickly transitioning into attack,” Leonel Justiniano “plays progressive passes” but rarely pushes forward. However, opponents should respect his long-distance shooting and occasional advancing ventures, particularly when given the chance to break out on the counter. Ramiro Vaca – praised as possessing “big technical quality and tremendous skill” – took on a greater role under the new manager and has repaid his faith with two goals in four starts. The Club Bolívar midfielder is “comfortable on the ball with both feet and strong in one-on-ones and finding the target,” thriving when making quick decisions and connecting beautiful long passes with both feet. LDU Quito’s Gabriel Villamíl is a shrewd tackler who picks his moments in both phases of the game. He has “good changes of directions and is pretty agile,” hanging around the edge of the box to dispense incisive distribution or make late runs before letting loose a shot or getting onto the end of a cross.
Club Bolívar attacker Carmelo Algarañaz is known for his audacious flicks, long-distance shooting, and acrobatic finishing. The 28-year-old from Santa Ana del Yacuma has a devastating left foot, which is set up by surprising pace, tight spins and turns, and intuitive back-to-goal play. While waiting for his breakthrough at Santos, Miguel “Miguelito” Terceros is a regular member of Bolivia’s squad, bringing lightning-fast transitions and darting dribbling runs that frustrate opponents. He looks to break out at all times and from any area, willing to carry possession all the way from the defensive third.
With Marcelo Moreno retired, there is a palpable paucity of goal-scoring options in the program. Rodrigo Ramallo could be the choice, shifting over from a winger position. The 33-year-old The Strongest forward can finish from a variety of areas and has the speed to make sudden runs that dart behind the opposing back line. Whether on set pieces or from the run of play, his distribution is accurate and can find pockets of space in even the most crowded of boxes. Unconfined to a singular role, his heat map covers the length and width of the attacking half, with his responsibilities bouncing between striker, winger, and advanced midfielder.
The USMNT received a fairly favorable draw for the Copa América group stage, as this is far from the fiercest era in Bolivia’s long footballing history. There is a clear talent disparity between the two rosters, and anything less than three points should be considered a missed opportunity by the hosts. However, tournaments are known to have surprises at every juncture, with results never being guaranteed.
The match is scheduled for Sunday, June 23rd at 6:00pm Eastern, 3:00pm Pacific. Viewing options include FOX, Univision, TUDN, and Fubo TV (free trial).
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Publish date : 2024-06-21 10:00:00
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