The 2024 Copa America is set to be one of the most exciting football tournaments of the year, bringing together for the first time in history the best teams from across the Americas.
Featuring a mix of experienced stars and emerging talent, the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) will be looking to take advantage of home field advantage to showcase their improvement on the international stage and make a big impact at the tournament.
In this article, we analyze the chances of the U.S. team winning Copa America 2024 as they face off against some of the world’s best soccer teams, including current World Cup winners Argentina. We explore the team’s current form, key players, tactical approach, and the competition they will face.
Far from my favorite
To understand the chances of the US National Team winning the Copa America 2024, let’s first take a look at the current odds and expert predictions.
According to major American betting sites, Team USA is considered the dark horse, with odds usually ranging from 10/1 to 15/1. These odds make the USMNT the sixth most likely team to win, but they also recognize tough competition from traditional soccer powerhouses such as Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, who are the favorites at 7/4.
Meanwhile, soccer analysts have mixed opinions about the U.S. team’s chances, with some experts highlighting the team’s growing talent and recent improved performance in international competitions and suggesting that with the right strategy and home-field advantage, the U.S. team could advance far in the tournament.
Others are more cautious, noting that while the team has made great strides, it still lacks the experience and depth of the South American powerhouses. Historically, the U.S. team’s best performances in the Copa America came in 1995 and 2016, when they reached the semifinals, suggesting that while they are competitive, winning the title remains a difficult prospect.
Mixed records
Team USA’s performances in recent pre-tournament friendlies have produced both positive and negative results, highlighting both strengths and areas in need of improvement as they prepare for Copa America 2024.
The USMNT faced big challenges in the match, especially in their heavy 5-1 defeat to Colombia. Despite maintaining relatively balanced possession in the first half, the team struggled to contain the Colombian attack, with Rafael Santos Borré and John Arias leading the Colombian attack.
The loss served as a stark reminder of defensive fragilities that need to be addressed before facing top-level competition in the tournament.
Despite this setback, the team showed resilience and potential in their last friendly, earning a 1-1 draw with Brazil in what proved to be a crucial test against one of the best teams in the world.
The USMNT displayed better defensive organization and an effective counter-attacking strategy, with Christian Pulisic playing a key role in creating attacking chances and the team’s defensive line withstanding Brazil’s attacks for much of the match.
Group stage analysis
The USA team has been placed in Group C of the Copa America 2024, along with Bolivia, Panama and Uruguay. Let’s take a look at their group and their chances of progressing to the next round.
- BoliviaConsidered one of the weaker teams in the group, Bolivia has performed poorly recently and has often struggled on the road, so the U.S. should aim for a decisive win against them to boost their goal differential and confidence.
- PanamaPanama is known for their physical style and defensive tenacity. They will be a tough opponent, but the USMNT has beaten them in the past. A well-organized attack and maintaining defensive discipline will be key to securing victory.
- Uruguay: Uruguay is the toughest competitor in Group C, with experienced players like Luis Suarez and rising stars like Federico Valverde. This will be Team USA’s toughest match. A draw or a close win would be a good result, but they will need to perform at their best.
Given their current form and team strength, the U.S. team has a realistic chance of making the knockout stages. Wins against Bolivia and Panama should give them the points they need, even if they lose to Uruguay. The key is to stay consistent and take advantage of the opportunities.
Bookmakers generally cite Team USA as the favorite to advance from the group, with odds reflecting their potential but also factoring in the challenges posed by Uruguay. If the USMNT can solve their defensive issues and capitalize on their attacking strengths, they have a good chance of progressing beyond the group stage and progressing further in the tournament.
Key players will be crucial to the U.S.’ success in the 2024 Copa America. Christian Pulisic remains the standout star, bringing his European experience and goal-scoring ability to the fore. Alongside him, Weston McKennie provides a dynamic presence in midfield, while Tyler Adams’ defensive ability adds much-needed stability. Up-and-coming players like Gio Reyna and Folarin Balogun have also shown promise, adding depth and attacking options to the team.
Conclusion
The U.S. team will face tough competition against some of the world’s best teams in Copa America 2024, and their recent performances in friendlies have shown their potential but also highlighted areas where they need to improve.
With key players like Pulisic and McKennie leading the attack and the home advantage, the USMNT has a good chance to win, but success will depend on their ability to remain solid defensively, capitalize on counter-attacks and persevere against top-class opposition.
