The United States men’s national team wrapped up its preparations for Copa America with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Bolivia Saturday night in Kansas City. The result is the U.S. team’s largest victory ever against a South American opponent.
Gyasi Zardes scored twice for the Americans, who won all three of its Copa America warmup matches, while John Brooks and Christian Pulisic also dented the scoreboard.
Bolivia’s recent struggles continued, as La Verde have now lost nine of their last 10 matches dating back to last year.
Still, it was an ideal way to prepare for the Copa America tournament opener on Friday against Colombia (9:30 p.m. ET, FOX Sports 1). Costa Rica and Paraguay will be the other two Group A opponents for the U.S.
"We are pleased with the game, the result, the energy." – #USMNT head coach @J_Klinsmann on #USAvBOL
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) May 29, 2016
Zardes got things started for the United States in the 26th minute:
Gyasi Zardes scores his 4th career international goal to put the #USMNT 1-0 up on Bolivia. #USAvBOL https://t.co/3oXd2H9Q8v
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 29, 2016
Twelve minutes later, the Americans doubled their lead. Michael Bradley took a quick free kick to Alejandro Bedoya, who then found Brooks wide open near the penalty spot:
GOAL #USMNT! Bradley with a great feed to Bedoya who finds Brooks for the easy finish. 2-0 (38'). #USAvBOL https://t.co/3N8lIIx54D
— Ben Jata (@Ben_Jata) May 29, 2016
In the 52nd minute, another Bradley free kick lead to a goal. Bradley served up a ball to Bobby Wood on the far post. He brought the ball down and got a cross in to Zardes in front of the net. The L.A. Galaxy man didn’t miss, tucking the ball away for his fifth international goal.
Michael Bradley –> Bobby Wood –> Gyasi Zardes = #USMNT goal. #USAvBOL https://t.co/SlnT7oYL51
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 29, 2016
In the 68th minute, Pulisic became the youngest player (17 years, 253 days) to score a goal for the senior team, finishing off a nifty piece of play from Darlington Nagbe. He’s about 70 days younger than Juan Agudelo was when he scored against South Africa in 2010.
What a moment! 17-year-old Christian Pulisic becomes the youngest goalscorer in #USMNT history. #USAvBOL https://t.co/c7r0L6dt8m
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 29, 2016
To say Pulisic’s goal was well received by U.S. fans is a mild understatement:
https://twitter.com/davisjsn/status/736732820547084292
I BELIEVE in the future of the #USMNT !! Nagbe to Pulisic. Thank you, may I have another?
— Rob Stone (@RobStoneONFOX) May 29, 2016
Christian Pulisic has done more in one game than I have my whole life…
— Alex Jordan (@Aleckzjordan) May 29, 2016
Nagbe-Pulisic:
Bow down young sirs, while I dub thee Batman and Boy Wonder! 😁— Dwight (@H_Dwight_Beers) May 29, 2016
It will be interesting to see what Klinsmann decides to do with the lineup for the Colombia game. Does he elevate Nagbe and Pulisic into starting roles, or does he see them as impact subs?
We’ll find out next week…
