In their only chance of the current World Cup cycle to test themselves in competitive matches against teams outside of CONCACAF, the USMNT starts its 2024 Copa America run with a game against Bolivia in Arlington on Sunday.

The U.S. men, ranked 11th in the world by FIFA, are not considered top contenders to win the Copa America but are expected by domestic-based fans to at the very least qualify for the knockout stage, while many are placing the bar higher, asking their side to reach at least the semifinals.

Head coach Gregg Berhalter has repeatedly stated that the goal is not to win the Copa America but to best prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil, while he also added that performing well in this tournament is a major component of that process.

Ranked 84th in the world, Bolivia is the lowest-ranked of the 11 South American nations and has struggled in its history to pick up results away from their home fortress in La Paz, which sits at 12,000 ft. of elevation.

Since the start of 2019, Bolivia have just won three matches away from home, all in friendlies against Andorra, Trinidad & Tobago, and Saudi Arabia, while drawing two and losing 20. Their last competitive win away from home came against Ecuador in the 2015 Copa America, hosted by Chile.

MORE: Get the latest lineups and team news for USA vs. Bolivia in Copa America

USA vs. Bolivia prediction, odds

• Moneyline lean: United States (-500)
• Score prediction: USA 3-0 Bolivia

Given the level of opposition and the teams to come in the group stage, anything less than a comfortable win will be a disappointment for the United States. They don’t need to win by four or five goals, but a multi-goal victory will be expected.

In truth, there shouldn’t be much of a chance for any kind of upset here. Bolivia do not perform well away from home, and the talent disparity is great. While the USMNT can sometimes struggle against lower-level opposition on the road, especially in CONCACAF, here at home it shouldn’t be an issue.

The United States can see their Copa America dreams blown to smithereens if they disappoint, but don’t expect that to happen.

USA vs. Bolivia match facts

• Date: Sunday, Jun, 23, 2024
• Local kickoff time: 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT
• Location: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
• Referee: Maurizio Mariani (ITA)
• Last meeting: USA 3-0 Bolivia (May 28, 2018 | Friendlies)

USA vs. Bolivia best bet

• Pick: USA to win to nil
• Odds: -160 (BetMGM)

The United States will expect to keep a clean sheet against Bolivia, full stop. With three Premier League defenders and a Bundesliga player along the back four, plus a Premier League goalkeeper in net, the U.S. will have a massive advantage in talent and can be expected to keep good on that promise.

Bolivia put two past Algeria in a friendly this past March amidst a 3-2 defeat and won 2-1 against Saudi Arabia in a friendly a year earlier. Other than those two games, they have scored a combined three goals in 11 road matches since the start of 2022.

There will be far more difficult tests to come, but starting off this tournament with a win to nil would be a strong statement. Unfortunately, late gameday line movement has seen the value on this selection plummet, but it’s still worth backing given the lack of openings anywhere else in this match.

USA vs. Bolivia prop bet

• Pick: USA -2 goal handicap
• Odds: -120 (BetMGM)

While the biggest complaint about the Gregg Berhalter regime with U.S. Soccer is that they cannot beat quality opponents, they have largely been strong against lower-level opposition. The United States struggled at times in CONCACAF play against inferior opponents on the road in less ideal conditions, but at home they were almost perfect.

Bolivia have not picked up a single point in their last three Copa America appearances, suffering 10 defeats in 10 matches. In those 10 games, they’ve scored six goals while conceding 26—an average margin of defeat of exactly two goals per game. They lost by three goals to Argentina twice and Brazil once in that span. The U.S. are quite capable of doing the same, and you are safe in knowing a two-goal result results in a wash.

Frankly, anything less would be a significant disappointment for the USMNT.

USA vs. Bolivia live stream, TV channel

The opening match for the USMNT at the 2024 Copa America will be televised in English on FOX network channel. There is also a Spanish-language broadcast on both TUDN and Univision. All three channels will be available to stream on Fubo, who are offering a FREE trial for new users.

In Canada, the match will be televised on TSN4, with streaming on the broadcaster’s dedicated platform, TSN+.

The entire 2024 Copa America will be televised in the United Kingdom on Premier Sports 1, with streaming on their platform, Premier Sports Player.