The 2024 Copa America commences in the United States on June 20th. The esteemed competition will last around one month, during which American soccer takes centre stage before the final on July 14 which will crown the champion.
It’s a moment of pride for the United States as the organisers have chosen to relocate the usually South American-based Copa America to the United States this summer. This decision not only brings the tournament closer to home but also gives the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) a rare chance to compete on their own turf.
With Copa America fever sweeping the land of The Stars and Stripes, join us today as we take a deeper dive into USMNT’s chances and analyse the competition’s current betting odds.
USMNT Copa America Group C Challenge
Posing the question of whether the USA can win the Copa America or not isn’t the nation’s first concern; it’s whether or not they can get through a difficult Group C setting.
The United States men’s national team has been placed in Group C for the 2024 Copa América. Although there is hope that the U.S. can progress from the group, Uruguay’s presence has raised uncertainty over whether the Americans can emerge as the group champions and reach the tournament’s quarter-finals.
Despite being only one position apart in FIFA’s latest men’s rankings, Uruguay has a distinguished track record of triumphs in key international competitions. With a determined and youthful squad, Uruguay is anticipated to uphold this tradition of success, and unfortunately for the Americans, the USMNT stands in their way.
Consider Federico Valverde, a current player for Real Madrid; Darwin Núñez, now playing for Liverpool; and Facundo Pellistri, a promising young prospect at Manchester United. The team holds a lot of promise, and with Marcelo Bielsa at the helm, this nation may have discovered a managerial style that is more suitable for this squad compared to past leaders.
However, evidence suggests that the United States will have autonomy over its own destiny when it confronts Uruguay in the last match of its group stage on July 1.
If the United States is unable to defeat Bolivia in a Copa América game held in the United States in 2024, it would indicate a much bigger problem. Next up is Panama. Although they have a competent squad, they’re not exceptional, and the U.S. should be considered the favourite in that match. Hence, it would be astonishing if they failed to secure a minimum of six points in the initial two matches.
Therefore, should this hypothetical scenario play out according to plan, the USMNT will enter their clash with Uruguay with a lot of confidence and potentially a guaranteed first- or second-place spot that will give them qualification before they’ve even faced Uruguay. Who knows, perhaps the Uruguayans will drop points in their first two outings.
USA’s Biggest Copa America Threats
When the United States hosts Copa America this summer, advancement from the group stage will see them face some of the world’s most elite soccer teams. This tournament will allow manager Gregg Berhalter to accurately assess the capabilities of his team as he gets ready for the 2026 World Cup, and after emerging victorious in the CONCACAF Nations League in March, it will be intriguing to observe the performance of his men against top-tier adversaries in the 2024 Copa America.
Consistently dominant teams Argentina and Brazil are considered the top contenders to win the competition. Argentina already secured the 2021 Copa America championship and the 2022 World Cup under the leadership of Lionel Messi. La Albiceleste also became victorious in the most recent edition of the Copa America, which took place in Brazil.
Even without the presence of the renowned player Neymar, Brazil still maintains its formidable status. The Seleção, presently positioned as the fifth-best team globally according to FIFA, is one of the most formidable national teams in the sport. With Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Raphinha leading a devastating offensive, this club can consistently produce remarkable displays.
Copa America 2024: USMNT at the Bookmakers
The most trusted US sports betting sites offer odds of +1200 for the USMNT to emerge as champions in the Copa America. The US is fifth in futures odds, below only Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Colombia.
Nevertheless, the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) will be filled with a strong sense of energy and determination following their impressive 2-0 victory against Mexico in the final of the Nations League on March 24th.
While the club is not yet at the same calibre as Argentina or Brazil, it boasts a roster brimming with talented and potential young players. Captain Christian Pulisic has regained his top form at AC Milan, and with the midfield combination of Tyler Adams, Western McKinnie, and Gio Reyna, Tyler Adams is a formidable pack that shouldn’t be overlooked. As a result, the US team has the potential to surprise and do really well in this tournament, and it’s quite surprising that El Tri received a greater probability of success from the oddsmakers.
In recent years, the Americans have had significant success over Mexico. Gregg Berhalter’s team has not lost against their bitter rivals since 2019, from a series of seven consecutive contests. The USMNT has emerged victorious in five of these matches and has played to a tie in the remaining two games.
USMNT’s Path to the Copa America 2024 Final
The United States has been placed in the same group as Uruguay, Panama, and Bolivia. To reach the quarterfinals, Berhalter and co. must achieve either a first—or second-place position in the group.
Should the USA achieve a second-place finish in Group C, it will encounter the victor of Group D in the quarterfinals. Brazil is the clear favourite to win Group D, as the United States would be the definite underdog against a highly talented Brazilian squad. However, if it were to shock the world and emerge victorious, a potentially “easier” clash with either Uruguay or Colombia could await in the semifinals.
If the USMNT reaches the final, there’s a strong chance they’ll face Argentina. Thus, the USA doesn’t have a simple route to Copa America glory; they have to beat the best of the best.
USMNT’s Star Player at the Copa America
Christian Pulisic is unquestionably the standout player for the United States national team. With eight years of experience playing for Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan in Europe, he has accumulated considerable expertise. As a result, he will not be intimidated by the challenge of competing against top South American opponents.
Pulisic will begin on the left side of the USA’s attacking trio and possesses the speed, dribbling skill, and technical expertise to penetrate any defensive line. The USMNT’s attacking success in this tournament will heavily rely on the performances of Gio Reyna and Antonee Robinson on the left wing, as their ability to coordinate with Pulisic and create overlapping runs might pose significant challenges for opposition right-backs.
Don’t Underestimate the Evolving USA Squad
The United States was eliminated in the group stage of the Copa America in 1993, achieved a fourth-place finish in 1995, was eliminated in the group stage again in 2007, and once more secured a fourth-place finish in 2016. Nevertheless, the team is undeniably more robust currently than at any previous point.
Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Folarin Balogun, Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest, Timothy Weah, and Malik Tillman are all members of esteemed European teams. These young superstars are expected to reach their career peeks in time for the 2026 World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico. However, they will also pose a significant threat during the summer and shouldn’t be underestimated in their chance of lifting the prestigious Copa American trophy.