ARLINGTON, Texas — United States males’s nationwide soccer staff coach Gregg Berhalter hailed the management of captain Christian Pulisic after his one-goal, one-assist efficiency in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Bolivia to kick off its 2024 Copa América marketing campaign.
“He is a selfless chief,” Berhalter advised reporters after the match at AT&T Stadium. “He goes out and he simply competes and works actually arduous, and that helps the staff. And then you definately add to the truth that he is extremely expert and he could make performs on the offensive finish, it is an awesome mixture.”
“To me, it was an impressive efficiency tonight,” added Berhalter, who stated that Pulisic earned the coach’s man of the match award.
Pulisic opened the scoring three minutes in, burying a shot after enjoying a brief nook to Tim Weah and receiving the ball again close to the sting of the field. Pulisic ran to the sideline and regarded for set piece specialist coach Gianni Vio within the stands, finally pointing at him as he celebrated.
“It is Copa América, it is a huge event,” Pulisic stated. “I really feel like I am at all times fairly excited after I rating, but it surely’s a giant second, it is a main event.”
Pulisic then tallied an help simply earlier than halftime, gathering the ball and delivering central midfield earlier than discovering Folarin Balogun for the left-footed end.
Tyler Adams earned his first USMNT begin because the Concacaf Nations League ultimate in March and performed 45 minutes, which Berhalter stated was at all times the plan though Adams requested to play longer.
“I used to be like, ‘Dude, we have been down this highway,'” Berhalter stated with a smile.
“However after all he needs to remain on the sector, and that is Tyler. You see how a lot he means to the staff; you see his angle and his depth. He is a man that we would like on the sector, however we simply should watch out. The plan was 45 minutes from the get-go, and we caught to the plan.”
Adams stated he felt extra snug popping out of the sport with the staff main however that “clearly, I am itching to play.”
The Individuals had been heavy favorites coming into the match. Bolivia sits second from the underside in CONMEBOL’s World Cup qualifying, with the worst purpose distinction and just one victory from six matches.
Bolivia provided little going ahead, failing to noticeably check American goalkeeper Matt Tuner, whereas the U.S. staff had a number of alternatives so as to add to its lead within the second half.
“We’ll at all times have a look at probability creation as a marker of efficiency, and I feel we created sufficient probabilities as we speak,” Berhalter stated. “And on most days, these chances are high going to go in — and as we speak they did not, and that is effective.
“I feel we’re happy with the end result. The sport was by no means doubtful, and I feel it is a good start line on which to construct all through this event.”
The USMNT will subsequent face Panama on Thursday in Atlanta earlier than ending group play in opposition to Uruguay on July 1 in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri.
“For us, it is nearly analyzing and enhancing,” Berhalter stated. “I talked about one in every of our aims all through this event was to maintain attempting to get higher. I just like the efficiency for a gap sport in opposition to a tough opponent. We’re in place.”