GettyIn an eventful and frequently tumultuous 2024 Copa America held in the United States, GOAL dissects the victors and the vanquished.
The much-awaited and surprisingly unforeseen chapter in American soccer’s story comes to an end. The 2024 Copa America, announced with great anticipation, was expected to be a crucial and impactful event. With its occurrence preceding the 2026 World Cup by two years, the tournament was seen as not only a grand global spectacle but also a significant milestone in the development of soccer culture in the United States.
And in many ways, it was the former. This wasn't one of the great tournaments, but it wasn't a bad one, either – at least in terms of the actual competition. Games were packed full of intrigue and intensity. And although the predicted favorites went on to win the whole thing, there was certainly enough jeopardy about the final to suggest that it really could have gone either way.
In the end, Lionel Messi got his medal, James Rodriguez re-emerged … and yet to some, those moments were overshadowed by the multitude of off-the-pitch storylines and instances of organizational chaos. CONMEBOL have faced heavy criticism as organizers, while the USMNT itself had a tepid month, woefully underperforming on home soil.
GOAL US breaks down the winners & losers from the 2024 Copa America…
