The U.S. Men’s National Team kicks off its Copa América journey this weekend with a Group C match against Bolivia at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Sunday, June 23 at 6 p.m. ET.
The Americans, who sit in 11th place in the latest FIFA rankings, enter the competition after playing a pair of pre-tournament friendlies, in which they fell to Colombia 5-1 before playing Brazil to a 1-1 draw.
The USMNT will face Panama in its second game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Thursday, June 27, and finish the group stage against Uruguay in Kansas City, Mo. on Monday, July 1.
Bolivia, ranked 85th in the world, is coming off of three consecutive friendly defeats - 1-0 to Mexico, 3-1 to Ecuador and 3-0 to Colombia.
The South American side will meet Uruguay at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. on June 27 and then Panama at Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando, Fla. on July 1.
The top two teams in the group will qualify for the quarterfinals.
FOOTBALLING HISTORY
Bolivia has enjoyed several moments in the international spotlight. La Verde have qualified for three FIFA World Cups in their history. They participated in the very first competition in Uruguay, losing both of their group stage matches. At the 1950 tournament in Brazil, the Bolivians lost their only game in the group stage to eventual champions Uruguay, 8-0. They had to wait 44 years before appearing in the competition again, at USA '94. The team recorded its first World Cup point, a scoreless draw with the Korea Republic, but lost its two other group-stage contests.
The Bolivians won their only Copa America crown in 1963, and finished second in 1997. In the most recent edition (2021), they finished 10th, losing all four matches.
Marcelo Moreno is Bolivia's all-time leader in goals (31) and appearances (108). American sports fans will remember the heroics of a pair of internationals who earned legendary status while starring for D.C. United during in the early days of Major League Soccer - midfielder Marco Etcheverry and forward Jaime Moreno.
USMNT VS. BOLIVIA
These two teams have met eight times, with the series tied at 2-2-4, and six games decided by a shutout. The Americans, who have outscored the Bolivians 10-6 in the series all-time, began with a six-game winless streak against their South American counterparts (0-2-4) before emerging victorious in the last two meetings.
In their first encounter in Fullerton, Calif. on May 23, 1993, the teams played to a scoreless draw. Brad Friedel was in goal for the USA.
The squads played to a 1-1 tie in Miami, Fla. on Feb. 18, 1994. Jaime Moreno scored for the visitors past goalkeeper Tony Meola in the 44th minute, but Cobi Jones equalized in the 77th minute.
In the third consecutive deadlock between the teams, substitute Mario Pinedo's 76th-minute goal lifted Bolivia into a 2-2 friendly draw at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on March 26, 1994. After the South Americans took a 1-0 edge on Julio Cesar Baldivieseo's goal in the 12th minute, Hugo Perez knotted things up with the first of two penalty kicks in the 31st minute, before adding another one three minutes into the second half. The Americans came close to walking away as winners as Claudio Reyna's header, from a Jones feed, deflected off the crossbar with 20 seconds remaining.
In the teams' lone Copa America meeting on July 11, 1995, Marco Etcheverry tallied in the 24th minute past Friedel to lift Bolivia to a 1-0 win in Paysandu, Uruguay.
The South Americans recorded a 2-0 triumph in Washington, D.C. on June 12, 1996, scoring both early (Jamie Moreno in the second minute) and late (Milton Coimbra in the 88th minute).
On Jan. 24, 1999, Meola returned to the USMNT goal for the first time in over four years to backstop new head coach Bruce Arena's squad, in what was a scoreless draw in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
The USA recorded its first win over the Bolivians on May 28, 2016, a 4-0 result in Kansas City, Kan. Gyasi Zardes struck for a brace with goals in the 26th and 52nd minutes. John Brooks then added a 37th-minute goal before Christian Pulisic became the youngest player to score for the USMNT (17 years, 253 days) with a 69th-minute tally. Keeper Brad Guzan made two saves to register the clean sheet.
In the most recent meeting between the two sides, a pair of 18-year-olds connected for their first international goals in a 2-0 triumph in Chester, Pa., on May 28, 2018. Josh Sargent found the net in the 52nd minute of his debut for the senior squad, and Tim Weah added an insurance goal in the 59th minute in his second USMNT appearance. Defender Walker Zimmerman, in his third international match, lifted the hosts to a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute. Goalie Alex Bono, in his lone cap for the U.S., registered the shutout.
MANAGER
Antônio Carlos Zago, who played with Brazil's Copa America side as a defender in 1999, was named manager after the sacking of Gustavo Costas on Oct. 31, 2023. Since the 55-year-old Zago took over the reins, Bolivia has recorded a 2-5-0 mark.
Nicknamed the "Terminator" as a player, Zago was also a member of Sao Paulo's Copa Libertadores winning side in 1992, and performed for Roma when it captured Italy's Serie A title in 2001.
He played 37 times for the Brazilian National Team from 1991-2001, scoring three goals.
Since making his debut as a manager with Sao Caetano (Brazil) during the 2009-10 campaign, Zago has been a nomad, directing 15 teams. His coaching resume includes Juventude, Red Bull Bragantino II, Palmeiras and Bolivar, leading that side to the First Division title in 2022. He was also an assistant with Roma and Shakhtar Donetsk.
RECENT MATCHES
Since the start of the year, the Bolivians have struggled to a 1-4 record.
During a two-match spell in Algiers, Algeria, the South Americans dropped a 3-2 loss to the hosts on March 22. They grabbed a 2-1 lead behind goals by Carmelo Algaranaz (47th minute) and Jose Sagredo (70th minute) but allowed two scores in the final 11 minutes and stoppage time.
Three days later, Bolivia beat Andorra 1-0 on Ramiro Vaca's 13th-minute goal. Goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra was credited with the shutout.
The team lost all three of its Copa América warm-up matches in the U.S. by a combined score of 7-1.
First, Bolivia dropped a 1-0 decision to Mexico in Chicago on May 31, as Efrain Alvarez tallied the lone goal two minutes into the second half.
La Verde then conceded two goals in the opening 25 minutes to Ecuador en route to a 3-1 defeat in Chester, Pa. on June 12. Miguel Terceros scored a consolation goal in the 88th minute.
Most recently, in a 3-0 loss to Colombia in East Hartford, Conn. on June 15, the Bolivians also found themselves in a two-goal hole by the 25th minute.
ROSTER
Manager Antonio Carlos Zago selected a 26-player roster that has strong domestic ties.
Three clubs dominate the roster. Club Bolívar boasts nine players on the squad, while Always Ready has five, and The Strongest sends four.
La Verde has 30-year-old twin brothers from Bolívar manning the backline. In the team’s recent 3-0 friendly loss to Colombia, Jesús Sagredo started at right back, José Sagredo at left back.
Only six players play outside of the country - defenders Luis Haquin (Ponte Preta, Brazil), the team captain, and Roberto Fernández (Baltika Kaliningrad, Russia), midfielders Miguel Terceros (Santos, Brazil), Gabriel Villamíl (LDU Quito, Ecuador), Boris Céspedes (Yverdon-Sport, Switzerland) and forward Jaume Cuéllar (Barcelona B, Spain).
Goalkeeper Carlos Lampe, who is the oldest player at 37, is also the most experienced international player with 55 caps. José Sagredo leads all field players with 54 appearances. Goalkeeper Gustavo Almada and midfielder Adalid Terrazas are seeking their first caps.
Nine players are 30 years old or older. Terceros, who turned 20 on April 25, is the youngest player on the squad.
Forward Rodrigo Ramallo enters the competition having scored a team-high seven goals in 40 games. Ramiro Vaca, the creative force in the midfield, is next with four.
Bolivia's Copa roster has combined for 23 goals in international competition.
BOLIVIA ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPER (3): Guillermo Viscarra (The Strongest; 21/0), Carlos Lampe (Bolívar; 55/0), Gustavo Almada (Universitario de Vinto 0/0).
DEFENDERS (8): Diego Medina (Always Ready; 13/0), Roberto Carlos Fernández (Baltika Kaliningrad/RUS; 35/1), Marcelo Suarez (Always Ready; 8/0), Jesús Sagredo (Bolívar; 10/0), José Sagredo (Bolívar; 54/1), Luis Haquin (Ponte Preta; 34/1), Adrián Jusino (The Strongest; 36/0), Yomar Rocha (Bolívar; 3/0).
MIDFIELDERS (9): Leonel Justiniano (Bolívar; 52/2), Boris Céspedes (Yverdon-Sport/SUI; 17/1), Gabriel Villamíl (LDU Quito/ECU; 17/0), Héctor Cuellar (Always Ready; 8/0), Fernando Saucedo (Bolívar; 24/1), Robson Matheus (Always Ready; 2/0); Miguel Terceros (Santos/BRA; 12/1), Ramiro Vaca (Bolívar; 34/4), Adalid Terrazas (Always Ready; 0/0).
FORWARDS (6): Lucas Chávez (Bolívar; 3/0), Jaume Cuéllar (Barcelona B/ESP; 8/0), Rodrigo Ramallo (The Strongest), César Menacho (Blooming; 4/0), Carmelo Algarañaz (Bolívar; 23/2), Bruno Miranda (The Strongest; 18/2).
