USA vs Argentina Preview: Copa America semifinals
The United States and Argentina, will play in Copa America Centenario semi final on Tuesday
United States captain Michael Bradley insists there has been no change in mentality for the host nation as it prepares to face 14-time champion Argentina in the Copa America Centenario semifinals.
The U.S. has the chance to make history in Houston on Tuesday as it seeks to reach the Copa America final for the first time at the expense of tournament favorites and last year’s runner-up Argentina.
“We take it as it comes,” Jurgen Klinsmann told USA Today. “There is no need to talk and make Argentina bigger than they are. We played two years ago (against) Ronaldo and that was a big game, too. We were winning 2-1 right into the 96th minute. We came so far now and we are hungry for the next step, even though we understand it is a big opponent.”
United States will see Argentina’s Lionel Messi, one of the greatest soccer players of all-time and perhaps the greatest of this generation.
After sitting out Argentina’s opening 2-1 win over Chile, Messi returned to score a second-half hat-trick against Panama, backed up by a goal and two assists in the dismantling of Venezuela.
But the U.S. is not planning to give Messi any special attention at NRG Stadium, with the Argentina captain just one goal away from becoming the nation’s all-time leading goalscorer.
“I don’t know if you can stop Messi,” defender Matt Besler said. “Obviously there is gonna be a lot of attention around him, there always is. It’s a group effort when you play against him. You always have to know where he is on the field. At the same time, we have to play our game. You can’t focus too much on the opponent.”
Argentina is on the cusp of a third consecutive major final, following defeats in the 2014 World Cup decider and 2015 Copa America finale. And while Argentina has emerged as the team to beat, coach Gerardo Martino feels his side is only getting better.
“I am proud, the last three years I have been in charge, they have played three tournaments, and no matter what they will have played 19 games,” he said. “Most of the games they have played very well, but in two of them not very well but still they come full of hope and lots of confidence.
“It’s not easy for a team that came as far in previous tournaments to come as far in this one. I feel we are growing, and that really fills me with pride.”
