The U.S. men’s national team will start the 2024 Copa América off against Bolivia with Tyler Adams on the field.
Head coach Gregg Berhalter inserted the defensive midfielder, widely regarded as among the very best USMNT players, into his starting 11 for Sunday’s match in Arlington, Texas.
Adams has not started a match for club or country since going a full 90 minutes for Bournemouth in a 2-1 win over Everton in the Premier League on March 30.
Since then, back spasms have sidelined the 25-year-old, who played just nine minutes in the remainder of the Cherries’ season. Adams also played 14 minutes off the bench in the USMNT’s recent 1-1 draw with Brazil.
Berhalter’s other notable lineup choices include sticking with Matt Turner in goal despite some wobbly recent form, and starting Folarin Balogun over Ricardo Pepi in the No. 9 role.
Otherwise, there are few surprises in Berhalter’s 4-3-3, which includes Gio Reyna in the midfield. Between Adams and Reyna doing enough to earn starts, Yunus Musah starts the tournament on the bench.
After much speculation over who would take Sergiño Dest’s spot at right back after the PSV defender tore his ACL, Berhalter has opted for the conventional choice. Joe Scally, who started in tournament tune-ups against Colombia and Brazil, maintains his spot in the starting 11.
USMNT lineup vs. Bolivia
(4-3-3): Matt Turner; Joe Scally, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson; Gio Reyna, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie; Tim Weah, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic (capt.)
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