THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
Should you be a sports enthusiast you are spoiled for choice all this summer. Some of the world's biggest events are coming around in their four-year cycle to culminate in wall-to-wall action. From cycling to track and field, it is all there – of course, the pinnacle of this will be the Olympic Games in Paris, France from late July.
You'd have to be under a rock not to have noticed that the European Championships are currently underway in Germany. The soccer world has been paying attention to this tournament as it enters its second week, but, too, the Copa América is taking place in the United States. Even though the USA hosted the tournament – the South American version of the Euros – back in 2016, for many this is being viewed as a forerunner to the World Cup, which will take place in North America in two years.
This is the 48th Copa América, and like most soccer tournaments it has grown its profile, with more countries viewing globally and ever-growing interest through social media. Argentina are the current holders, and they then went on to win the World Cup in Qatar at the end of 2022.
This year 16 teams will all have their own reasons for going deep in the tournament, none more so than the hosts. The USMNT enter this Copa América as sixth favorites behind the obvious choices of the current holders Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, and Colombia. The margins though are quite slim, and the USA is in a favorable group which they should be able to advance from. The second stage though could see a real test with potentially Brazil or Colombia waiting.
After a disappointing World Cup in 2022, Gregg Berhalter remains in charge of the team and had, by his own admission, the toughest calls to make in choosing his squad this time around. "This was the hardest roster that we've ever had to pick based on the players in form at their clubs and performing at high levels. So, it was really difficult. When I think about some of the names left off... it just shows you how difficult the selection is these days for the United States national team."
The kick-off game, taking place on Thursday June 20, is being held at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium and will feature Argentina, starting the defense of their crown, against Canada. Despite its capacity of 71,000 it is only ranked sixth in terms of stadium size at the 14 host venues. The smallest being Kansas City's Children's Mercy Park (18,467), and the biggest MetLife Stadium in New Jersey (82,566). The final will take place at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium (64,767) on July 14.
