In their only chance to test themselves in a competitive match against non-CONCACAF teams in the current World Cup cycle, the USMNT opens their bid for the 2024 Copa America on Sunday against Bolivia in Arlington.
The United States, ranked 11th in the FIFA world rankings, are not considered the favorites to win the Copa America, but fans back home expect them to at least make the knockout stages, while many others have set a higher bar and want them to at least make the semifinals.
Coach Gregg Berhalter has repeatedly stated that the goal is not to win the Copa America but to best prepare the team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be held in his home country, adding that performing well in the tournament is a key part of that process.
Bolivia, ranked 84th in the world, is last among 11 South American countries and has struggled to perform well outside its home base in La Paz, 12,000 feet above sea level.
Since the start of 2019, Bolivia has only won three away friendlies against Andorra, Trinidad and Tobago and Saudi Arabia, drawing two and losing 20. Their last official win on the road was against Ecuador in the 2015 Copa America, hosted by Chile.
LIVE BLOG: Follow live updates, commentary and highlights from USA vs. Bolivia in the Copa America
USA vs Bolivia predictions, odds
- Money Line Trends: United States (-500)
- Score Predictions: USA 3-0 Bolivia
Given the caliber of opponents and the state of the teams in the group stage, it would be disappointing for the U.S. to have anything less than an easy win. They don’t need to win by four or five points, but a multi-goal victory would be ideal.
In truth, the chances of an upset here aren’t that high. Bolivia doesn’t have a good record away from home and the playing field is pretty poor. The USMNT can struggle against weaker opponents away from home, especially in CONCACAF, but it shouldn’t be an issue at home.
A disappointment for the U.S. could shatter their Copa America dreams, but we shouldn’t expect that to happen.
BetMGM (united states of america) |
|
American Victory | -500 |
draw | +575 |
Bolivia wins | +1350 |
Both teams Score |
Y: +130 Number: -185 |
Over/Under 2.5 Goals |
O: -185 U: +130 |
united states of america -1.5 goals |
-175 |
Bolivia +1.5 goals |
+120 |
USA vs. Bolivia match statistics
- date: Sunday, June 23, 2024
- Local kick-off time: 6pm ET / 3pm PST
- position: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
- Judge: Maurizio Mariani (Italy)
- Last meeting: USA 3-0 Bolivia (May 28, 2018 | Friendly)
USA vs Bolivia is the best bet
- choose: USA wins without scoring
- Odds: -135 (BetMGM)
The U.S. will be hoping to keep a clean sheet against Bolivia, and with a back four that features three Premier League defenders and a Bundesliga player, plus a Premier League goalkeeper in goal, the U.S. will have a huge talent advantage and should be expected to live up to the hype.
Bolivia scored two goals in a 3-2 loss to Algeria in a friendly in March this year, and won 2-1 against Saudi Arabia a year earlier. Apart from those two games, they have scored three goals in 11 away games since the start of 2022.
MORE: Get the latest lineup and team news for USA vs. Bolivia for Copa America
Tougher tests lie ahead, but starting this tournament with a win and without conceding a goal would show they have a strong will. Unfortunately, some line movement late in the game caused the value of this pick to plummet, but it’s still worth a gamble given the lack of chances anywhere else in this match.
USA vs. Bolivia prop bet
- choose: USA -2 Goals Handicap
- Odds: -105 (BetMGM)
The biggest complaint about U.S. Soccer under coach Gregg Berhalter is its inability to beat good opponents, but the U.S. has generally been strong against weaker opponents. The U.S. has sometimes struggled against weaker opponents in less-than-ideal conditions on the road in CONCACAF matches, but has been nearly perfect at home.
Bolivia has lost 10 of its last three Copa America appearances, failing to pick up a single point. In those 10 matches, Bolivia has scored six goals and conceded 26. That’s an average of two goals per game. In that span, Bolivia has lost by three goals to Argentina twice and to Brazil once. The United States could do the same, and a loss by two goals would surely be a draw.
Frankly, anything less would be a huge disappointment for the USMNT.
USA vs Bolivia live stream, tv channel
Television Channels | Streaming | |
united states of america | FOX, TUDN, Univision | Fubo USA, TUDN App, Univision NOW, ViX |
Canada | TSN4 | TSN+, RDS App |
England | Premier Sports 1 | Premier Athletes |
The USMNT’s opening match of the 2024 Copa America will be broadcast in English on the FOX network channel. It will also be broadcast in Spanish on both TUDN and Univision. All three channels will be available to stream on Fubo, which is offering a free trial to new users.
In Canada, the game will be broadcast on TSN4 and streamed on the broadcaster’s dedicated platform, TSN+.
All 2024 Copa America matches will be broadcast in the UK on Premier Sports 1 and streamed on the company’s platform Premier Sports Player.