‘Winning the whole thing’: USMNT stars on what success will look like at Copa América

“Do you feel pressure?” Tyler Adams asks teammate Weston McKennie. “I don’t feel any pressure.”

Speaking ahead of the USMNT’s first major tournament on home soil since 2016, McKennie echoed his captain’s sentiment. “I wouldn’t say it’s extra pressure, I’d say it’s more excitement. We spend our career playing in Europe and we come back [to the US] occasionally with the national team. I think the World Cup and the Copa América allow friends and family who may not have seen us play for a long time to see us, and also fans who cannot come to Europe to watch a match or to even introduce new people into the game.

“Ultimately, we want to build this sport here in America and there is no better way to do that than by bringing the sport to America itself.”

This crop of USMNT players is being heralded as a “golden generation,” a name with an up-and-down history when it comes to national teams. But while the so-called golden generations in England, Germany, Portugal and Belgium faced pressure on the field, this American group must also bear the burden of growing a sport in a country where soccer is not the main player.

The US will be a focal point for international football in the coming years. First of all, this summer’s Copa América. From there, the country will host the 2025 Club World Cup, the 2026 World Cup (along with Canada and Mexico) and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The US and Mexico have also expressed interest in jointly hosting the Women’s World Cup in 2031.

Building it is one thing. But will the people come? Attracting eyeballs isn’t just about presence. There must be success. The flame of soccer in the US has been fanned from time to time, thanks in large part to legendary players plying their trade on American soil – from Pelé and Beckenbauer to Beckham and Messi. The growth of Major League Soccer and the USWNT’s four World Cup titles continue to generate interest, along with TV rights deals that bring the Premier League and Champions League into people’s homes. This year’s Copa is the latest opportunity for the men’s national team to keep their promise ahead of 2026. No pressure, right?

“I think there is pressure anyway,” says Christian Pulisic. “I don’t think necessarily playing in the US will add any extra pressure. Of course we have our people here who will watch, and hopefully we can put on some good football and inspire people. That is our goal.”

Argentina is the favorite at the Copa this year. Led by Lionel Messi, the reigning World Cup and Copa America champions are aiming for a record 16th title, which would break the tie with Uruguay. Despite longstanding concerns about the Brazilian squad, the five-time World Cup winners are another favorite to compete.

The US plays in Group C. They kick off against Bolivia on June 23 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Four days later they play Paraguay at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta before closing out the group against Uruguay, another tournament favorite, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on July 1.

“For me we will definitely take it game by game,” said Pulisic, who is having the best season of his club career for Milan in Serie A. “We want to get out of the group. That is our first goal. From there you move on to the knockout rounds and the only way you can look at it is to focus on the team you are playing against and try to win every match.

“… Looking at the first two games, and really just the first game, it’s about going out and winning. First and foremost, we are aiming for a good performance and I think the results will prove themselves. Absolutely, a good start is crucial for us.”

It’s a mentality similar to the one the team adopted before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. At that tournament, Gregg Berhalter made a selection with 25 World Cup debutants. The US played consecutive draws against Wales (1-1) and England (0-0) and set up a must-win match against Iran.

In the biggest moment of his young career, Pulisic scored his first World Cup goal, a match winner to seal second place in the group. In the last 16, the US faced the Netherlands, which ended the American series largely without any problems.

It was a learning moment. After making their way through the group stage at their previous tournament, the US is focused on reaching the knockout rounds.

“Obviously getting out of the group is the most important thing, but winning a knockout match is super, super important,” Adams said. “I think it just shows an area of ​​development that we really need: if you want to talk about the 2026 World Cup and lift a trophy, you need to be able to win knockout games.

“No team wins a trophy without winning knockout matches. That’s kind of where our heads are at. We believe we can be in the top four of the Copa America when we are at our best, but you can’t do that without proving you can win knockout games.”

Berhalter has faced sustained criticism throughout his time as head coach, from selections to tactical errors and rifts in the dressing room. Success this summer could help ease some concerns, while disappointment could mean US Soccer is forced into an overhaul ahead of 2026.

The US is one of six hosts in the South American Championship, and enemies from history do not bode well for the Americans. No invitee outside South America has ever won the Copa América. Since 2011, only two of the 12 have ever reached the knockout round: the US and Mexico in 2016, the last time the tournament was held in the US. That year, the USMNT advanced to the semifinals of the tournament before losing to number two Argentina.

“The ultimate success in this tournament is definitely winning it all and that’s something we strive for and that’s something we want to do,” McKennie said. “Football is such a beautiful sport that anything can happen on any given day. It’s not like we’re that far behind the teams that might be more favorites for this tournament.

“At the end of the day, we are all extremely competitive. We all want to win and we go in thinking, ‘Look, we’re going for first place and if not, what are we here for?’”