Copa América cheat sheet: everything you need to know about the USMNT

So you want to impress your friends during Copa América? We’re helping you stock up on smart observations on the USMNT that will have the group chat showering you with adoration. Or, like, at least a couple of thumbs up emojis. From key players to expectations, you’ll become the expert of your local soccer bar, viewing party, or friend group.

It’s getting real

For many, the last time they’ve watched the US was at the 2022 World Cup.

That World Cup, which ended in a Round of 16 loss, wasn’t a failure. But it also wasn’t designed to be the USMNT’s last stop on their climb up international soccer’s mountain.

The US had the youngest team in Qatar. According to FBref, their average age, weighted by minutes played, was just 24.5. Eighteen months later, the USMNT are approaching their prime. Based on their Copa América tune-up friendlies against Colombia and Brazil, the average of Gregg Berhalter’s first-choice lineup this summer is 25.3.

There’s no doubt this is still a young team. Performing well at home during the 2026 World Cup is the main target for the US. But this squad has major tournament experience under its collective belt and is entering a golden window to compete.

“Things are getting real for the US,” you message in the group chat.

Related: Copa América predictions: can anybody stop Messi and Argentina?

How will the US play, anyway?

Expect to see two different versions of the USMNT. Those two versions will overlap – they’ll both play out of some version of a 4-3-3 and they’ll both feature some patient possession play in the back. But there will be plenty of distinctions.

The first version of the US is the one we’ll see against Bolivia and Panama in their first two matches of the group stage.

When the USMNT have the talent advantage, they try using the ball to break through defensive blocks. The center backs will stride forward, the wide players will rotate, and the entire team will counter press. Without many visionary passers at their disposal, Gregg Berhalter’s team won’t look like Spain. But they have enough skill to break through their first two opponents.

The second version of the US is the one we’ll see against Uruguay in the final match of the group stage and in the knockout rounds – if they advance.

Against South American giants with attackers who simply cannot be left unattended, the heart of Berhalter’s gameplan will shift from passing patterns to disciplined defending in a 4-3-3 mid-block. The USMNT won’t completely forsake using the ball against Uruguay and others – they put together some lovely passing sequences against Brazil in a recent friendly. Still, they’ll be more selective with their possession play.

“Look at how much deeper the USMNT are sitting in this game against Uruguay than they were earlier in the tournament,” you say to the man next to you as you both sip your drinks.

Watch these guys closely

His role at the 2022 World Cup was limited, initially shrouded in mystery, and later filled with drama. Now, Gio Reyna is a locked-in starter.

Reyna’s mixture of close control and creative passing is unmatched in the US pool. Earlier, I mentioned that the US are short on visionary passers. Reyna is the closest active American to that benchmark. Playing as an attack-minded central midfielder, he hits lovely slipped passes like this one on a semi-regular basis:

If the USMNT create a dangerous chance through the middle, Reyna’s fingerprints will be all over it. If he can find a way to unlock Pulisic on the left wing, the US’s attack will reach another level.

At center back, Tim Ream brings veteran experience and sharp reads on and off the ball. Ream, 36, is the elder statesman of this US team. He’s occasionally error-prone, but his clever distribution will be an asset to begin the group stage just as his defensive timing will prove crucial later in the tournament.

One under-the-radar player for the USMNT is the man between the sticks: Matt Turner. His club season was a disaster, but he’s been a reliable shot-stopper at the international level. For the US to make a run past the quarters, they’ll need the Turner that started and made 11 saves against Brazil.

“Reyna’s dropping too deep in possession. He needs to be closer to the final third so he can thread Pulisic in behind,” you murmur under your breath while everyone around you nods, appreciating your wisdom.

Biggest strength and weakness

No part of this US team is perfect, but it’s easy to fall in love with their midfield balance when everyone is fit. With Reyna taking on the creative duties and McKennie and Adams covering every blade of grass, the USMNT’s control through the middle is their biggest asset.

Take Adams out of the team as he works his way back to full strength and, well, things get a little more complicated. The US should be able to push through to the knockouts with a backup spelling Adams, but they’ll need him in the lineup as the games get more challenging.

Looking further upfield, attacking output is a leading concern. Without the injured Sergiño Dest, right winger Timothy Weah will be forced to take on an oversized attacking role. Pulisic is a crucial piece on the left. But missing an elite striker, opposing defenses can sell out to stop the USMNT’s talisman. Folarin Balogun was supposed to be that top striker, but he is yet to cement himself as a true gamechanger. He has scored only three times in 12 appearances in international football, with only one of those coming in a competitive match.

“If Balogun looks dangerous early on, defenders will have to step to him, giving Pulisic more space. That could be huge in the second half,” you post on social media. Likes start raining down from above.

Related: Fans treat USMNT like a club side – and it could cost Berhalter his job

Measuring success

The USMNT got a tough draw this summer – their side of the bracket features three of the four favorites. If they finish in the top two in their group with Uruguay (there’s one favorite), they’ll likely clash with either Colombia (there’s the second) or Brazil (there’s the third). On the other side of the bracket, Argentina are the clear favorites to waltz to the final.

Berhalter and company would welcome a switch to the other side. There is a convenient part of the draw, though: it makes defining success for the USMNT quite easy.

Fail to get out of the group? That’s a big failure. Beat Brazil or Colombia and advance to the semi-finals? That’s an unequivocal success.

And the most likely outcome of all for the US this summer: get out of the group and lose to Brazil or Colombia in the quarter-finals. If the USMNT play poorly in a blowout loss, that would be marked as a failure. If they play well in a narrow defeat, it would simply be unsatisfying. Not a failure. But not a success, either. Just unsatisfying.

“The US won’t be favored in the knockouts, but this team has enough quality to hang around and compete,” you say while a “USA, USA, USA” chat thunders around you. No one hears you.

Alright, fine, that insight may not play well at the bar. It’s up to you to pick your spots. I can’t do everything for you.