Copa America: USA's Road to the Final

This summer sees the 48th Copa America hosted in the United States. After a collaborative partnership between CONMEBOL and CONCACAF, the United States are now able to compete for the most prestigious trophy in South America again after an eight year absence.

The US have competed at the Copa America four times in their history. Between the years of 1916 and 1991, The Stars and Stripes were not invited to the competition as at the time the only nations invited were CONMEBOL member associations: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

The first appearance for the US in the Copa America came in 1993 in Ecuador. The Stars and Stripes were drawn into Group A along with Ecuador, Uruguay and Venezuela. In three games, the US picked up one draw and two losses, with the one draw being a 3 - 3 draw against Venezuela. This left the US on one point and bottom of the group.

The US were straight back for the 1995 Copa America in Uruguay. This was a much better showing for The Stars and Stripes after they were drawn into Group C against Argentina, Bolivia and Chile. In three games, the US picked up two wins and one loss, picking up a big win over Argentina and losing to Bolivia. However, this gave the US six points, and the top spot based on goal difference.

The Quarter Finals saw the US take on rivals Mexico. After a goalless 90 minutes and extra time, the tie was sent to penalties. Misses from Alberto Coyote and Carlos Hermosillo gave the US the 4 - 1 win and the spot in the Semi Finals.

However, the Semi Finals saw the US face Brazil. Aldair scored the only goal of the game in the 13th minute to give Brazil the 1 - 0 win. The Third-place match saw the US slump to a 4 - 1 loss against Colombia, with a penalty from Joe-Max Moore getting the US on the scoresheet.

There was another seven year gap between appearances from The Stars and Stripes when the US were not invited again. However, they made another return in 2007 in Venezuela. In Group C, the US took on Argentina, Paraguay and Colombia. In three games, the US picked up three losses, finishing bottom of the group.

Another break from the competition saw a four year gap, but the US once again came back an improved outfit. The US hosted the centenary Copa America and took on Colombia, Costa Rica and Paraguay in Group A. In three games, The Stars and Stripes picked up two wins and one loss, finishing top of the group on goal difference.

Clinton Dempsey and Gyasi Zardes both scored in the 2 - 1 win over Ecuador in the Quarter Finals. But, once again, the US stumbled at the Semi Final stage again, this time against Argentina. Goals from Ezequiel Lavezzi and Lionel Messi along with a brace from Gonzalo Higuain gave Argentina the 4 - 0 win. The Stars and Stripes then slumped to a 1 - 0 loss to Colombia to give the US the fourth-place spot.

Gregg Berhalter will be looking to win the first ever Copa America title for the US this summer, but who are the key players for The Stars and Stripes?

Christian Pulisic

The captain of The Stars and Stripes has had a strong first season in the Serie A with AC Milan.

In 35 games for The Rossoneri, Pulisic picked up 12 goals and seven assists in the Serie A. Pulisic also made six appearances in the Europa League this season, where he scored two goals and picked up one assist along with one goal in six games in the Champions League.

Pulisic made his international debut with the US in 2016 as a 17-year-old after two years with the U17 team. Since then, Pulisic has made 66 appearances for The Stars and Stripes and has scored 28 goals.

Weston McKennie

Another American star in Italy is Weston McKennie who played his club football for Juventus.

In 34 games for Juventus in the Serie A, McKennie didn’t score himself but made space for himself as a play-maker, registering seven assists for Juve. This position for McKennie could be important for the attack for the US.

McKennie made his debut for the US in 2017 and since then he has made 51 appearances and has scored 11 goals.

Folarin Balogun

This season with Monaco, Folarin Balogun has impressed.

In 29 games in Ligue 1, Balogun picked up seven wins along with five assists. Balogun also made three appearances for Monaco in the French Cup where he found the back of the net once.

Balogun switched his allegiance to the US in 2023, and since then he has made ten appearances for The Stars and Stripes, scoring three goals already.

Haji Wright

Haji Wright has been one of the stars of the Championship this season for Coventry.

In 44 games in the league, Wright picked up 16 goals and seven assists for Coventry. Wright picked up another assist in the League Cup along with three goals in five appearances in the FA Cup, including a goal against Manchester United in the Semi Final.

Since 2022 when Wright made his debut he has made just nine appearances, scoring four goals.

Josh Sargent

Another rising star in the Championship is Josh Sargent with Norwich.

In 26 games in the Championship, Sargent has picked up 16 goals and two assists for Norwich.

Sargent made his debut for the US in 2018 and since then has made 23 appearances and has scored five goals.

Group C of the 2024 Copa America sees the US take on Uruguay, Panama and Bolivia.

The first matchday sees the US face Bolivia. The Stars and Stripes have met Bolivia eight times in their histories, with the first meeting coming back in 1993. Both sides have two wins each with a draw the most common outcome, happening on four occasions.

Next the US takes on Panama. The US and Panama have met 24 times in their histories, with the first meeting coming back in 1993. The US dominate this fixture with 18 wins in comparison to Panama’s four wins, the other four games ending in a draw.

Finally, The US face Uruguay. The two sides have met seven times in their histories, with The US picking up two wins with Uruguay picking up just one win, with four draws.

Should the US win Group C, they face the runner-up of Group D in the quarter-finals which will most likely be one of Colombia, Paraguay or Costa Rica. However, if Gregg Berhalter’s men finish as runner-up, they will most likely face Brazil where their tournament could end.

If the US win their group, they will take on either second-place from Group C or Brazil in the semi-finals, before most likely facing Argentina in the final.