US Soccer

United States 4, Bolivia 0: U.S. Men's National Team earns big win in final friendly before Copa America Centenario

Clint Dempsey vs Bolivia 160529

The preparations are over.


The United States national team finished off their Copa America Centenario warmups with a 4-0 victory against Bolivia on Saturday night in Kansas City as Gyasi Zardes scored twice, John Brooks added another and 17-year-old Christian Pulisic became the youngest goalscorer in USMNT history.


Alejandro Bedoya played assist man on the first two US goals, sending Zardes in behind with a deft flick over the top of the defense for a simple finish then sliding a ball across the six-yard box for Brooks to pass into the back of the net following an quickly taken free kick from Michael Bradley. Bobby Wood cracked the Bolivia defense by beating his man to the endline for the game's third goal, a simple cut back putting the ball on a platter for Zardes to bundle home.


Pulisic opened his USMNT account just six minutes after coming into the game in the second half. After Jermaine Jones won the ball in the attacking third, the Colorado Rapids man and Darlington Nagbe combined to create a first-time opportunity that the Borussia Dortmund man buried in the bottom corner. The USMNT open Copa American Centenario on June 3 against Colombia (9:30 pm ET, FS1).


Box Score


  • 26' - USA - Gyasi Zardes (Alejandro Bedoya)
  • 37' - USA - John Brooks (Alejandro Bedoya, Michael Bradley)
  • 52' - USA - Gyasi Zardes (Bobby Wood)
  • 69' - USA - Christian Pulisic (Darlington Nagbe)
  • Full box score
  • Stats


Three Things


  • HOLD YOUR HORSES: Winning matters – even an international friendly – but fans would be wise to remember the USMNT’s stroll in the park against Bolivia (79th in the FIFA Rankings) isn’t remotely indicative of what’s to come in Group A when Copa America Centenario kicks off next Friday.

  • <p>Bolivia may have made it out of their Copa group last summer in Chile, but that required a single win and included a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of the hosts and eventual champions. More indicative of La Verde’s quality is the fact that they’ve won just four games – against Haiti, Ecuador and Venezuela twice – since the start of 2013.</p><p>So while it’s appropriate to appreciate the margin, the largest ever for the US against a CONMEBOL opponent, it’d also be prudent to remember this Bolivia team (40 percent possession, two shots on target) is nowhere close to the same level as Colombia, Costa Rica or Paraguay. Speaking of...</p></li>
    


    IS THIS THE STARTING XI VS. COLOMBIA?: 
    Matt Besler at left back? Michael Orozco over DeAndre Yedlin at right back? Before you let #soccertwitter get you too riled up about some vintage Klinsmann positional shoehorning, take a look at the XI that started the second half.

    United States 4, Bolivia 0: U.S. Men's National Team earns big win in final friendly before Copa America Centenario -



    No Nagbe or Pulisic, but that's a team that could make the USMNT's stated semifinal goal a reality.

  • CAMERON RETURNS, BROOKS SHINES: Outside back is set, but the two center back spots have been a bit of a guessing game as the US breezed past Puerto Rico, Ecuador and Bolivia. A big reason for that has been the absence of Geoff Cameron.

  • Next Up


    • USA: Friday 6/3 vs. Colombia (9:30 pm ET, FS1, UniMás, UDN)
    2026 Season Membership Deposits

    2026 Season Membership Deposits

    Feel the pull of the Sound and step into something bigger. 2026 will continue to put Seattle soccer on the world stage, so there's no better time to join the Rave Green and grow with the Sounders legacy. Secure your seat alongside the best fans in MLS.

    Two Tickets & Two Beers (vs. Portland Timbers)

    Two Tickets & Two Beers (vs. Portland Timbers)

    Come out to Lumen Field to watch your Seattle Sounders take on Portland with this special ticket offer sponsored by Michelob Ultra. For just $40 + Taxes & Fees, get two tickets & two beers for the match. For 21+ fans only and drinks must be picked up in the North Plaza 21+ beer garden prior to kickoff.

    Kickoff at 7:30 p.m. PT on October 4.

    Match & Merch Bundle (vs. Portland Timbers)

    Match & Merch Bundle (vs. Portland Timbers)

    Add a limited-edition Cascadia Rivalry t-shirt to your ticket to the Portland Timbers match. Matchday pick up info will be communicated prior to the match via email.

    Kickoff at 7:30 p.m. PT on October 4.