Gregg Berhalter, the head coach of the United States, is feeling confident about his team’s chances in the upcoming 2024 Copa America, despite being drawn in a tough group. The tournament hosts will face Uruguay, Panama, and Bolivia in Group C, and Berhalter acknowledges the challenge that lies ahead.
“There is no doubt that it is a tough group,” Berhalter stated. “The Copa America is a very difficult tournament, and any group that was going to be drawn was bound to be difficult. We are excited to finally know our competitors and are now focused on planning our game plans and getting ready to compete.”
With the USMNT and Uruguay being the initial favorites to progress from the group, securing first place is more important than ever, as the runners-up are likely to face Brazil in the last eight. Berhalter is aware of the significance of capturing the fans to USA’s chances of success at the tournament.
“The important thing is we want to capture the fans. We want to get the country behind us and go on a run,” he emphasized. “After you get through your group, then it’s about a knockout tournament. We’re trying to compete in that stage of the tournament and hopefully be competing for a trophy.”
USA’s first game will be against Bolivia in Dallas on June 23, and Berhalter is hopeful that the team can capitalize on the advantage of playing at home. “It’s really a dream come true for us that we’re hosting the tournament and we get to play at home. The guys are really excited about it and it’s really something to look forward to for us.”
As the tournament starts on June 20 and features 16 teams, Berhalter and his team are looking beyond just progressing from the group stage. Their goal is to compete in the knockout tournament and put themselves in a position to compete for the trophy.
“The guys are really looking forward to trying to get the home supporters behind us and really creating great momentum,” Berhalter added. “There are no disadvantages [to hosting].”
The draw for the 2024 Copa America has set the stage for an exciting and competitive tournament, with USA eager to prove themselves on home soil. With the support of their fans and a determined mindset, Gregg Berhalter and his team are ready to face the tough competition ahead and make their mark on the international stage.