USA Aims For Knockout Stage Victory In Copa America 2024 To Mark Success: Adams

Tyler Adams believes winning a knockout match is the real measure of success for the United States at the Copa America. The USA, as the host nation of the 2024 Copa America, will kick-start their campaign against Bolivia on Sunday. Gregg Berhalter's team will also face Panama and Uruguay in Group C, with Opta's supercomputer predicting they will progress from the group in second place.

Adams emphasised the importance of advancing beyond the quarter-finals. "For me, it's getting past the quarter-final," said Adams. "We need to win in a pressure situation. That's going to measure a lot of our success."

Defender Mark McKenzie added perspective on the tournament's significance. "When you talk about some of the most watched games, aside from the World Cup, you look at the Copa America," McKenzie said. "You talk about countries that have won multiple World Cups, like Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil. You have the opportunity now to step into this tournament and go head-to-head with them."

Smiles today, business on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/iC5lT5MS83

— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) June 21, 2024

Carlos Zago, who won the Copa America with Brazil in 1999 and now coaches Bolivia, aims to cause an upset at AT&T Stadium. "The most important thing is for us to compete," Zago said. "We have to try to play on an equal footing with the big teams in terms of intensity and physicality."

Bournemouth midfielder Adams also made a confident statement regarding his own ability. "When I'm healthy and playing consistently, I'm one of the best midfielders at what I do in the world," he said, as reported by the Daily Mail.

Players to Watch

United States - Christian Pulisic: Pulisic, who will captain the Stars and Stripes at this tournament, is their chief playmaker and also a potent goal threat. He is coming off his best season in terms of goals scored at club level, having netted 15 times for Milan in 2023-24.

Bolivia - Carlos Lampe: Carlos Lampe is two matches away from equalling Arturo Lopez for the third-most appearances among goalkeepers for Bolivia in the Copa America. Only Eduardo Gutierrez and Vicente Arraya have played more matches in goal for Bolivia in the competition.

Match Prediction: United States Win

The USA and Bolivia have faced each other only once in the Copa America, with Bolivia winning 1-0 during the group stage of the 1995 edition. However, this time around, the USA are backed to win despite CONMEBOL teams having won eight of the last ten matches against them in this competition.

Bolivia will seek a win against a CONCACAF opponent for the first time since defeating Mexico 3-1 in the semi-finals of the 1997 edition they hosted. Expect Bolivia to employ long passes frequently; they have one of the highest average passing distances (20.5 meters) in South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.