Copa America 2024 in the United States is on the horizon with the USMNT, Bolivia, Panama and Uruguay in Group C.
When compared to Groups A and B, Group C — on paper — appears to be one of the four groups that could be wrapped up before the first kick of the tournament in late June. The USMNT and Uruguay will be favorites to advance out of the group and seal safe passage to the quarter-finals, while Bolivia and Panama could find it difficult to generate any momentum in the group stage.
Even though Panama are underdogs, they are still capable of seriously testing the USMNT’s resolve — just look back last summer in the team’s narrow defeat to Panama in the CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-finals in penalty kicks. But, as we know, anything can happen in football, especially with Gregg Berhalter at the helm for the Stars and Stripes.
Here’s 90min‘s preview of Group C at this summer’s Copa America.
As if it wasn’t already going to be difficult, things got even more challenging for Bolivia when Marcelo Moreno hung up his boots. The veteran forward will be solely missed as he managed 31 goals in 104 appearances for Bolivia.
However, that’s not to say that Bolivia don’t have a few decent players here and there. It’ll be tough, but if Bolivia are to get anything out of the group stage, you can expect Miguel Terceros, Carmelo Algaranaz and Rodrigo Ramallo to have some sort of impact in Group C.
Panama have made strides over the last few years after qualifying for the 2018 World Cup. Even though they fell just short, Head coach Thomas Christiansen guided Panama to the Gold Cup final against Mexico after their shocking upset over the USMNT in the previous round of the tournament.
Despite falling to Mexico late on, Panama have several quality players that could make things difficult for both Uruguay and the USMNT. MLS duo Anibal Godoy and Adalberto ‘Coco’ Carrasquilla will be two players to watch in the middle of the park and attack, respectively. Andres Andrade looks to bring his solid form from Austrian outfit LASK into the competition, while Ismael Diaz is always a threat on the wing for the Central American nation.
The Stars and Stripes head into Copa America 2024 not exactly as favorites but perhaps dark-horse candidates under Berhalter. The US have plenty of…
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