Christian Pulisic powers USA over Bolivia in Copa America

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Concacaf

·24 June 2024

Christian Pulisic powers USA over Bolivia in Copa America

ARLINGTON, Texas — The United States earned a 2-nil win over Bolivia to start its campaign in Group C of the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America on Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Christian Pulisic struck with a rocket from the edge of the penalty area in the 3’ to open the scoring following a corner kick.

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Folarin Balogun extended the lead in the 44’ with a left-footed diagonal strike into the right netting. Pulisic delivered the assist to increase his goal creations on the day.

Pulisic was blocked by defender Jesus Sagredo in the 48’ as the hosts looked to extend their lead to start the second half.

Tim Weah delivered a dangerous ball across goal in the 50’ Balogun could not connect for the finishing touch.

Pulisic drove through the defense to take another strike on goal in the 60’ but was denied by Bolivia goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra.

The U.S. captain had another look in the 68’ off a cross from Joe Scally. Pulisic’s chance went just wide of the goal.

Ricardo Pepi had a strike on goal in the 79’ as Viscarra punched out the danger.

Viscarra had consecutive saves in the 90’ to deny Pepi once again.

U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner had three saves on the day as he collected his first clean sheet of the tournament.

The U.S. will face Concacaf counterpart Panama on Thursday in Atlanta. Afterward, Bolivia will face Uruguay in a South American clash to conclude Group C action in New Jersey.

FACTS:

The United States achieved their first victory against Bolivia in the CONMEBOL Copa América after losing 1-0 in the 1995 edition in Uruguay.
With the 2-0 win, the United States now leads the series against Bolivia with 3 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws. All of these matches were international friendlies.
Christian Pulisic scored the fastest goal for the United States in the CONMEBOL Copa América and is the second-fastest goal scored by a CONCACAF team in the tournament. The first was Johan Venegas (CRC) against Colombia in 2016.
Pulisic is the second U.S. player to score a goal and provide an assist in the first half of a CONMEBOL Copa América match. The first was Clint Dempsey, who achieved it against Ecuador in 2016, scoring a goal and assisting Gyasi Zardes.
Folarin Balogun is the second-youngest U.S. player to score a goal in the CONMEBOL Copa América at 22 years, 11 months, and 20 days old. The youngest is Chris Henderson, who was 22 years, 6 months, and 11 days old when he scored against Venezuela in 1993.