Soccer
USA Bets on Youth in Their Copa América Squad
Fresh faces dominate USA's Copa América 2024 squad.
The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) is gearing up for the 2024 Copa América with a youthful and dynamic squad. Head coach Gregg Berhalter has selected a 26-player roster that reflects a blend of experience and promising young talent, aiming to make a significant impact on home soil. The tournament, set to take place from June 20 to July 14 across 14 venues in the United States, will see the USMNT compete in Group C alongside Bolivia, Panama, and Uruguay.
A Youthful Squad with Experience
This year's squad is the second-youngest the USA has ever sent to the Copa América, with an average age of 25 years and 230 days. This youthful energy is balanced by the presence of seasoned players who have already made their mark on the international stage. Eighteen of the 26 players were part of the 2022 FIFA World Cup roster, providing a solid foundation of experience.
Key Players to Watch
Christian Pulisic, often referred to as "Captain America," leads the team with 68 caps. Pulisic, who plays for AC Milan, is expected to be a pivotal figure in the USMNT's campaign. His leadership and attacking prowess will be crucial as the team navigates through the group stages and beyond.
Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams are other key players who bring both skill and leadership to the squad. McKennie, a versatile midfielder from Juventus, and Adams, a defensive stalwart from AFC Bournemouth, are expected to anchor the midfield and provide stability.
Rising Stars
The squad also features several young talents who are poised to make a significant impact.
Gio Reyna, a 21-year-old midfielder from Borussia Dortmund, is one of the most exciting prospects. Reyna's creativity and vision make him a valuable asset in the attacking third.
Ricardo Pepi, another young star, has been in excellent form for PSV Eindhoven. At just 21, Pepi has already shown his goal-scoring abilities and will be looking to make a mark in his first Copa América.
The Full Roster
Here is the complete list of players selected for the 2024 Copa América:
Goalkeepers
- Matt Turner (Nottingham Forest/ENG; 41 caps)
- Ethan Horvath (Cardiff City/WAL; 9 caps)
- Sean Johnson (Toronto FC/CAN; 13 caps)
Defenders
- Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic/SCO; 16 caps)
- Kristoffer Lund (Palermo/ITA; 3 caps)
- Mark McKenzie (Genk/BEL; 13 caps)
- Shaq Moore (Nashville SC; 18 caps)
- Tim Ream (Fulham/ENG; 58 caps)
- Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 16 caps)
- Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 43 caps)
- Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; 29 caps)
- Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 9 caps)
Midfielders
- Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth/ENG; 39 caps)
- Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis/ESP; 11 caps)
- Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo/ESP; 20 caps)
- Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 53 caps)
- Yunus Musah (AC Milan/ITA; 37 caps)
- Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 26 caps)
- Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 10 caps)
Forwards
- Brenden Aaronson (Union Berlin/GER; 40 caps)
- Folarin Balogun (Monaco/FRA; 10 caps)
- Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 23 caps)
- Christian Pulisic (AC Milan/ITA; 68 caps)
- Josh Sargent (Norwich City/ENG; 23 caps)
- Tim Weah (Juventus/ITA; 39 caps)
- Haji Wright (Coventry City/ENG; 9 caps)
Group Stage Matches
The USMNT will kick off their Copa América campaign against Bolivia on June 23 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. They will then face Panama on June 27 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, followed by a crucial match against Uruguay on July 1 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
The 2024 Copa América presents a significant opportunity for the USMNT to showcase their growth and potential on an international stage. With a blend of experienced veterans and exciting young talents, the team is well-positioned to make a deep run in the tournament. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how this youthful squad performs against some of the best teams in the world.