KANSAS CITY, KS – MAY 28: Christian Pulisic #17 of USA attempts to chip a pass past Guillermo Viscarra #23 of Bolivia late in the second half of the COPA America Centenario USA 2016 on May 28, 2016 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images)

United States thrashes Bolivia, 4-0, in final Copa America tune up

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.

Zardes got things started for the United States in the 26th minute:

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:

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.

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.

To say Pulisic’s goal was well received by U.S. fans is a mild understatement:

https://twitter.com/davisjsn/status/736732820547084292

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…

About Randy Capps

South Carolina native, Fulham apologist, writer and sports fanatic.

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