How did USA fare in their first ever Copa America tournament?

USA lost to Uruguay 1-0 in their lost group game.

The United States were eliminated from the competition in the group rounds of the 2024 Copa America.

The USMNT have been instrumental in attracting more CONCACAF countries to the event as it grows; in fact, the 2016 centenary edition marked the tournament’s first-ever hosting of a competition outside of a CONMEBOL nation.

The USMNT are still getting their Copa America feet and has struggled against the more established South American teams, despite their achievements in this competition and internationally.

The United States qualified for the final round of group play by sitting second in Group C. But then title contenders Uruguay defeated them, while basement dwellers Bolivia were defeated by Panama.

Since the USMNT’s inception in 1993, no CONCACAF country has been able to challenge CONMEBOL’s hegemony in Copa America, and the team has never taken home a championship. Mexico have been to the final twice, but has fallen short against Colombia in 2001 and Argentina in 1993.

For the USMNT, Copa America’s evolving character has produced conflicting results. Before they hosted in 2016, they were invited to participate in 1993, 1995, and 2007; this is the first time they have had to meet the requirements.

Three players share the record for the most USMNT Copa America appearances: Tab Ramos, Alexi Lalas, and Cobi Jones, each with nine. With three apiece, Eric Wynalda and Clint Dempsey lead the scoring rankings.

It will be challenging to find opportunities for fierce competition against elite opponents given that they are co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup. In the run-up to the World Cup, the United States had friendlies scheduled in June against Brazil and Colombia, but the Copa América was essentially a World Cup practice match.

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