USMNT Win Over Bolivia At Copa America Draws Over 3 Million Viewers

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Soccer fever has gripped the United States! Well, kind of. At least as much as non-World Cup soccer can grip the country. The US Men's National Team began its Copa América run Sunday with a 2-0 win over Bolivia.

The USMNT is ranked much higher internationally than Bolivia, so this was not an unexpected result. US soccer star Christian Pulisic scored a goal and added an assist in what was a dominating performance. 

Pulisic's tally came less than two-and-a-half minutes into the contest. The US rode that goal to an easy victory. 

But perhaps more impressive was the number of Americans who tuned in on television to watch. Fox Sports reports that it had over 3 million viewers for the USMNT over Bolivia, the highest-rated (non-World Cup) soccer game in Fox Sports history. 

Soccer games not featuring the United States have done well, too. Most games in both the Copa América and Euro tournaments have drawn over one million in the US. 

It's fair to wonder if this is the effect of soccer becoming more popular or the proliferation of legalized sports betting in more states across the country. 

I'm not someone who is an avid soccer fan, though I do generally enjoy international competition. However, it's much more fun to watch when there's something riding on it. 

The US Men's National Team (USMNT) defeated Bolivia at the 2024 Copa America in its opening game in front of over 3 million television viewers.

The US Men's National Team (USMNT) defeated Bolivia at the 2024 Copa America in its opening game in front of over 3 million television viewers.

(Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports)

There aren't that many sporting events on right now with the NFL in its offseason, the NBA having wrapped up its season and the NHL about to end. 

Plus, the Euro tournament generally airs during the afternoon, which gives people something to watch in the middle of the day. Add in a few dollars on the moneyline and suddenly there's more interest. 

We'll see if these numbers keep up, but with the US looking like a good bet to advance to the next round, expect the enthusiasm around soccer to stick around for at least the next few weeks. 

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Dan began his sports media career at ESPN, where he survived for nearly a decade. Once the Stockholm Syndrome cleared, he made his way to OutKick. He is secure enough in his masculinity to admit he is a cat-enthusiast with three cats, one of which is named "Brady" because his wife wishes she were married to Tom instead of him.