The United States men’s national soccer team opened their Copa América campaign with a decisive 2-0 victory against Bolivia on Sunday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Dominating throughout the 90 minutes, Team USA set the tone early and never looked back.
Christian Pulisic, the team’s seasoned veteran, ignited the scoring just over two minutes into the match. Awarded a corner kick, the U.S. executed a clever set piece with Pulisic opting for a short pass to Timothy Weah instead of a traditional cross. Weah returned the ball to Pulisic, who, from a sharp angle, bent a sublime shot over Bolivia’s goalkeeper and into the net. The goal marked Pulisic’s 30th international goal, sparking raucous celebrations among the U.S.-heavy crowd.
The first half remained largely controlled by the U.S., with limited opportunities for Bolivia. The Americans solidified their lead in the 44th minute. Pulisic, instrumental again, raced downfield with 22-year-old Folarin Balogun alongside him. A well-timed pass from Pulisic found Balogun, who deftly maneuvered past his defender and drilled a low shot through the legs of the Bolivian defender, slipping the ball past the goalkeeper for his fourth international goal.
In the second half, the U.S. created several more scoring opportunities. Substitute Ricardo Pepi had two near-goal moments, but Bolivia’s keeper thwarted both attempts with spectacular saves.
When the final whistle blew, the U.S. team celebrated a well-earned three points, a perfect start to their Copa América journey. With confidence high, the U.S. now prepares for their next match on Thursday against Paraguay at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
This opening victory not only provided a solid foundation in the tournament but also showcased the potential of Pulisic and Balogun as a formidable attacking duo. As the U.S. eyes further success in the tournament, their commanding performance against Bolivia has set a promising precedent.
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