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Christian Pulisic celebrates scoring his good objective in opposition to Bolivia on Sunday.
CNN
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It was the proper begin for Christian Pulisic and the US at this 12 months’s Copa América, with the ahead inspiring his aspect to a 2-0 win in opposition to Bolivia on Sunday.
The US captain settled any nerves for the host with an outstanding strike in simply the third minute of the match, curling a wonderful end over the Bolivian goalkeeper after a well-worked nook.
The 25-year-old then turned supplier, establishing Folarin Balogun for the crew’s second objective simply earlier than the break inside Arlington’s AT&T Stadium.
The event is being held in the USA for the second time, a costume rehearsal for when the nation co-hosts the World Cup in 2026.
“We got here out flying with a variety of depth. Clearly that early objective helped us quite a bit. All spherical a fairly dominant efficiency,” Pulisic instructed FOX Soccer after the sport.
“We must always construct some confidence from this and really feel good however the video games are simply going to get harder and harder because the event goes on.”
Superior in high quality and expertise, the US cruised to victory in opposition to a Bolivia crew which struggled to make a lot of an impression.
In reality, the host may and will have prolonged its lead however didn’t profit from the quite a few possibilities that got here its manner.
Balogun did suppose he had scored a 3rd for the US, however his 53rd-minute effort was dominated out for an offside within the construct up.
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Pulisic’s effort curled over Bolivia’s goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra’s outstretched arm.
The US will face Panama in its subsequent Group C match earlier than dealing with a a lot sterner textual content in opposition to Uruguay in its remaining group sport.
Regardless of boasting a number of gifted gamers, together with the likes of Timothy Weah, Pulisic and Balogun, critical questions stay about whether or not the US males can persistently be aggressive in opposition to groups exterior of its CONCACAF bubble.
Ought to it progress deeper within the event, the US could have the prospect to dispel such considerations however will want its star gamers to shine.
“The most important factor was there wasn’t any doubts. Getting the early objective actually took the strain off,” US head coach Gregg Berhalter instructed FOX Soccer after the sport, praising Pulisic’s “harmful” efficiency.
“It’s at all times necessary to win your first sport, we talked about progressing and enhancing our efficiency all through the event so I feel it’s start line.”
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