AT&T Stadium field conditions praised by Berhalter and Chris Richards
Bolivia considered an aggressive team, Panama and Uruguay also in group stage
Gregg Berhalter confirms availability of Tyler Adams and Josh Sargent despite fitness concerns
USMNT begins Copa América against Bolivia on June 23rd
USMNT has been CONCACAF's dominant force but seldom translates success beyond the confederation
Youth movement continues under Berhalter's leadership since 2018
The United States Men's National Soccer Team (USMNT) is set to begin its 2024 Copa América campaign against Bolivia on June 23rd. The team, led by head coach Gregg Berhalter, has confirmed that all players are available for selection despite fitness concerns surrounding midfielder Tyler Adams and forward Josh Sargent. Adams last played on June 12th against Brazil, while Sargent returned to play after a foot injury suffered on May 16th. Both players have been named to the final roster for the tournament.
The USMNT has been focusing on giving young players their debuts and building a youth movement under Berhalter's leadership since he took over as head coach in 2018. The team has become CONCACAF's dominant force but seldom translates that success when facing opposition beyond the confederation.
The USMNT roster for Copa América includes 23 players, and after the World Cup, it was expected that the team would continue to improve. However, some question whether this team is better or worse than the one that participated in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Bolivia is considered an aggressive team and takes pride in big tournaments such as Copa América since World Cup appearances are rare for them. Panama and Uruguay also await the hosts in the group stage. Berhalter expects different challenges from each opponent, emphasizing the importance of adapting to various brands of soccer.
The USMNT's first match at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, should not be affected by the playing surface. Both Berhalter and defender Chris Richards praised the field conditions. The team is expected to limit opponents' high-scoring opportunities to increase their chances of success.
The USMNT roster for Copa América includes 23 players.
After the World Cup, it was expected that the USMNT would continue to improve.
Accuracy
The USMNT finished the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the round of 16.
The USMNT had a young team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup with many players getting substantial playing time in top leagues.
Goals allowed per 90 minutes is up (0.56 during the 2022 cycle to 0.88).
xG is one worse metric.
Deception
(60%)
The article discusses the improvement of the USMNT since the 2022 World Cup, highlighting factors such as youth and experience gained from international play. However, it does not disclose sources for some of its claims, such as specific player statistics or peer-reviewed studies supporting scientific claims about player performance.
The two most recent friendlies against Colombia (a 5-1 loss) and Brazil (a 1-1 draw) provide fodder for both sides of the argument.
Fallacies
(85%)
The author makes several appeals to authority in the article by quoting various USMNT players and experts. While these quotes provide valuable context and insights, they do not constitute logical fallacies on their own. However, the author also engages in some inflammatory rhetoric when describing the USMNT's performance against Colombia as a 'heavy loss' and 'embarrassing defeat.' This language is unnecessary and biased, as it implies that the score was much worse than it actually was (5-1). Additionally, the author makes a dichotomous depiction of the USMNT's schedule by characterizing Concacaf opposition as inferior to top opposition. This oversimplification ignores the fact that many Concacaf teams are improving and can provide valuable challenges for the USMNT.
][The U.S.] have to demand a lot from each other on the pitch, whether it be training, whether it be the games, whenever we're together, because as talented as we are, we're only as good as we are intense.[/
