USMNT quest to impress vs. South American foes begins with Bolivia

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In 1995, the USA took advantage of its invitation to the Uruguay-hosted Copa America to create a milestone for the program with a fourth-place finish, which included wins over Chile and Argentina. A 21-year-old Gregg Berhlater was part of Coach Steve Sampson‘s squad.

Goalkeeper Matt Turner said Berhalter, who also represented the USA at the 2022 and 2026 World Cups, hasn’t spoken specifically about that experience.

“But we obviously know that he’s had those experiences,” said Turner. “He talks more broadly about the significance and weight of this tournament, and what that trophy would mean for us. And the expectation of physical game play.”

The Copa America presents an opportunity for the USA to prove itself against world powers. Before it faces Uruguay in its final group game, it meets Concacaf rival Panama after opening Sunday against Bolivia.

The Bolivians have lost a dozen straight Copa America games dating back to the 2015 tournament and have won just once in its last 30 Copa America games.

“It’s a different team than you might think on paper,” Turner said. “They’ve kind of gone with the younger guard after their manager change in November [the hiring of Brazilian Antonio Carlos Zago]. They used to be a deeper block sitting team, and hope for that one or two chances. Now they seem to be trying to create more on their own, pressing a bit higher up the field.

“They have talented players that if they get on the ball and have space to turn in the pocket it could be trouble. They like to shoot from distance. …

“Their region’s difficult. They’re going up against really good teams all the time.”

Under Berhalter, the USA’s most impressive performance against South American competition came 10 days ago in 1-1 friendly tie with Brazil, four days after falling 5-1 top Colombia.

Tyler Adams spoke to whether there’s a unique aspect to playing against South Americans.

“I always think it’s a different type of game,” said the 25-year-old Bournemouth midfielder, whose observations are based on playing against and with South American players. “Obviously there are the technical qualities, but there’s also competitive nature that they bring. I don’t know if it’s from where they grow up and what they go through to get to the level that they’re at.”

His Bournemouth teammates include Colombian Luis Sinisterra, who scored and assisted against the USA in the Maryland friendly.

“Just his mentality,” Adams said. “He talks to me about some of the situations he was in growing up and it’s just different. Like, we don’t go through that. I know some of us come from certain areas, but he comes from a worse area, I can guarantee that. So for him, the accomplishment of making it to Europe what that represents for his town and his family is very, very important. So I think they carry a little something more with them.”

The importance of this U.S. pulling off a signature win — besides dominance over Mexico — was common query to the players preparing for the opener in Dallas.

“People like to say we don’t have a staple win,” central defender Chris Richards said. “We have three Nations League trophies. We just focus on what’s ahead of us, trying to take care of business each game we have.”

England-raised center forward Folarin Balogun joined the U.S. team after the 2022 World Cup.

“It’s my first major international tournament,” Balogun said. “I’ve had the taste of winning silverware with the U.S. [a pair of Concacaf Nations League titles], and that’s has been really helpful to me. This will be another level up.

“At the end of the day, football is the judged on the results. It’d be naive to say that the performances are the only thing that matter. Performances of course are important, but we need results.”

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