Pulisic shines as USA sinks Bolivia in Copa America

Christian Pulisic scored one goal and set up another as the United States launched their Copa America campaign with a clinical 2-0 Group C win over Bolivia on Sunday.

USA captain Pulisic scored a superb goal before setting up a second for forward Folarin Balogun just before halftime at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

That two-goal salvo was enough to secure three vital points for US coach Gregg Berhalter’s side, who also face in-form Uruguay and regional rivals Panama in the group stage.

“We came out flying with a lot of intensity,” Pulisic said afterwards. “Obviously an early goal helped us a lot, but all around a pretty dominant performance.

“We could have scored a few more to put him away, but overall a very good start to the tournament. We should build some confidence from this; The games are going to get tougher from here, so we have to be ready.”

Berhalter warned his team against complacency against a Bolivia side that had won just one game in nine previous editions of the Copa America since 1999.

Pulisic was clearly unwilling to let the South Americans improve on that record of futility, firing the hosts ahead after just three minutes.

Receiving the ball from a corner on the left, the American captain darted to the edge of the area and whipped a rasping shot towards the goal.

Bolivia goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra got his hands on it but couldn’t stop the ball from flying into the roof of the net.

However, despite this early breakthrough, the USA struggled to convert their dominance of possession on subsequent occasions and were frustrated by a combative Bolivian side that saw three players booked in the opening 31 minutes.

Leonel Justiniano, Gabriel Villamil and Luis Haquin were shown yellow cards by Italian referee Maurizio Mariani in an unruly start for Bolivia.

The USA doubled their lead in the 44th minute and once again Pulisic was heavily involved.

Picking the ball up close to halfway, the AC Milan forward sped into the Bolivian penalty area and cut through to Balogun, who took a touch to tee up defender Jesus Sagredo before curling a low shot into the bottom corner.

The high movement of the US forward line continued to cause problems for Bolivia after the restart.

Balogun just couldn’t get a toe on Tim Weah’s low shot in the 50th minute and had the ball in the net moments later but was marginally ruled offside.

Pulisic then drew a fine save from Viscarra in the 60th minute after weaving into the penalty area and unleashing a ferocious shot.

Substitute Ricardo Pepi should have made it 3-0 in the 65th minute after coming on for Gio Reyna, but saw his shot from an Antonee Robinson cross go wide.

Pepi was then denied a goal in the 90th minute after a desperate double save from Viscarra.

The USA faces Panama in the second game of the tournament on Thursday

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