Team USA and its fans would like to forget the 2024 Copa America since they’ve made unwanted history here in the competition.
Since the group stage was introduced in 1975, the Stars and Stripes became the first host nation to not make it to the knockout stage. Before this year, the USA had not been eliminated from the group stage in 19 previous big tournaments played at home.
The USA unraveled against Panama and Uruguay after winning the opener against Bolivia. And now fans want Gregg Berhalter’s head on the silver platter since many believe that he isn’t the right head coach for the Stars and Stripes moving forward.
Whether Berhalter will get fired or not remains to be seen, but either way, there’s a lot of work to be done, especially since they are one of the co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup.
Weah’s red card was the turning point
One could argue that the USA’s Copa America downfall started when Tim Weah was given his marching orders in the 18th minute against Panama after he lost his cool.
Tim Weah hit Roderick Miller on the back of his head, prompting the referees to give him a straight red card, putting the Americans at a numerical disadvantage throughout the contest. After the match, the Juventus winger apologised to his teammates for his “silly actions.”
Folarin Balogun still gave the USA a 1-0 lead after Weah’s ejection, but their lineup handicap has caught up to them in the end, as Cesar Blackman and Jose Fajardo overturned Panama’s deficit to win 2-1.
If the USA had won the game, they would’ve made it to the knockout phase, since two wins were all they needed to advance. Instead, they needed to defy the SBOTOP Copa America 2024 odds against a powerhouse in Uruguay.
Uruguay were the first team to advance from Group C, but they still went all out against the USA. Gregg Berhalter’s men fought valiantly throughout the contest, but an unexpected goal from Mathias Olivera ultimately sealed their fate.
Because they exited the tournament this early, Gregg Berhalter and his boys will have to watch the remaining Copa America 2024 results at home.
Balogun was the big positive for the USA
The USA bowed out of the 2024 Copa America earlier than expected because their attack sputtered.
Other than Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah, who formed a viable one-two punch up front, guys like Gio Reyna, Josh Sargent, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright, and Brenden Aaronson were largely anonymous throughout the competition.
However, if there’s one positive for the Stars and Stripes in this tournament, it is that Folarin Balogun could be the team’s starting No. 9 moving forward.
After going on an eight-month drought for the national team and scoring just seven goals for AS Monaco last season, Balogun has now scored twice for the Stars and Stripes in the 2024 Copa America.
But other than their frontline, the USA have bigger problems in other areas of the pitch.
USA’s midfield has been a mess since the 2022 World Cup. Tyler Adams (hamstring) was injured for a long time, while Yunus Musah, Johnny Cardoso, and Luca de la Torre have yet to establish themselves in the national team.
Gregg Berhalter also has to address the backline since Tim Ream is not getting any younger. Cameron Carter-Vickers, Miles Robinson, and Mark McKenzie have all yet to prove that they’re worthy of succeeding the 36-year-old Fulham centre-back.
Looking ahead at the Paris Olympics
The USA have their eye toward the Paris Olympics, where they’re one of the 16 nations that qualified and have a chance to win the gold medal. The Stars and Stripes join France, Guinea, and New Zealand in Group A.
Fortunately for Gregg Berhalter, the calls for his head may die down a bit because he will not be coaching the U-23 team, as Marko Mitrovic is there to do the job.
Miles Robinson, Walker Zimmerman, and Djordje Mihailovic will be the three vets who will take the three senior spots, and they have 72 caps between them.
The Yanks are one of the more intriguing sides at the Paris Olympics. Chelsea’s Gaga Slonina, Venezia’s Gianluca Busio and Tanner Tessmann, and VfL Wolfsburg’s Kevin Paredes lead their talented group.
After a 16-year hiatus, the USA are back in the Olympics, but history is not on their side. In their four prior Olympic appearances, the Yanks only made it out of the group stage in 2000, where they finished fourth in the quadrennial meet.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
