Pulisic and Balogun Lead USA to 2-0 Victory Over Bolivia in Copa América Opener
ARLINGTON, Texas – The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) kicked off their 2024 Copa América campaign with a convincing 2-0 win over Bolivia at AT&T Stadium. Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun were the heroes for the Stars and Stripes, netting a goal each in a dominant performance.
The USMNT came out of the gates firing, with Pulisic finding the back of the net just three minutes into the match. The Chelsea star received a through ball from Weston McKennie, made a quick move to get past the Bolivian defender, and finished with a low shot to the far post.
The Americans continued to control the game, creating several scoring chances throughout the first half. Balogun nearly doubled the lead in the 25th minute, but his header from a corner kick went just wide.
The second half followed a similar script, with the USMNT dominating possession and creating chances. Balogun finally got his goal in the 44th minute, tapping in a cross from Sergino Dest. The young striker, who recently committed his international future to the USMNT, celebrated his first goal for the senior team in style.
The USMNT defense held firm throughout the match, limiting Bolivia to few chances. Matt Turner, who started in goal for the Americans, was rarely tested. Bolivia’s frustration boiled over in the second half, with four players receiving yellow cards.
The win is a promising start for the USMNT in their quest for Copa América glory. The team will be looking to build on this performance in their next match against a tougher opponent.
Key Takeaways:
- Pulisic and Balogun shine: The two attackers were the difference makers for the USMNT, combining for two goals and several other scoring chances.
- Dominant midfield performance: The American midfield controlled the game, dictating the tempo and creating opportunities for the forwards.
- Solid defensive display: The USMNT backline was rarely troubled, limiting Bolivia to few chances.
- Positive start to Copa América campaign: The win sets the USMNT up well for the rest of the tournament.
The USMNT will look to continue their winning ways in their next match, while Bolivia will need to regroup quickly if they want to advance to the knockout stages.
