The perennial South American doormats have struggled mightily since opening last year's Copa America with a pair of highly surprising results. Their quarterfinal finish in 2015 marked just the third time in 15 tries that Bolivia has reached the knockouts since the Copa America went to a group stage format back in 1975. It's worth noting they've experienced several rough defeats playing on US soil over the last 20 years.
3 Stars
- Yasmani Duk (New York Cosmos/United States) – Some veteran strikers being moved out has made room for the 28-year-old Duk to have his big shot. The forward only grabbed his starting spot over the last few Bolivia games. He also scored on his home debut for the Cosmos to key a win.
- Juan Carlos Arce (Bolivar/Bolivia) – The frequent Copa Libertadores menace will try to translate that success to South America's top international tournament. Carlos Arce can wiggle through a crowd on the dribble to drive the attack.
- Martin Smedberg-Dalence (IFK Gothenburg/Sweden) – The Swedish-born midfielder is solid on both sides of the ball. Smedberg has a heavy shot from distance and hits a smart restart.
Manager
Julio Cesar Baldivieso – The Bolivia manager earned 85 caps as a star playmaker for the national team, including three at the 1994 World Cup in the United States. When his playing days ended with Aurora in 2008, he immediately took their manager's job, the first of his six in Bolivia over the next eight years. In August of 2015, he was named to his current post.
Copa America Group D Schedule
June 6 vs. Panama (7 pm ET, Camping World Stadium – Orlando, Fl.)
June 10 vs. Bolivia (7 pm ET, Gillette Stadium - Foxborough, Ma.)
June 14 vs. Argentina (10 pm ET, CenturyLink Field – Seattle, Wa.)
Full schedule
Copa America Squad
Goalkeepers (3): Carlos Lampe, Romel Quinonez, Guillermo Viscarra
Defenders (7): Diego Bejarano, Marvin Bejarano, Nelson Cabrera, Ronald Eguino, Luis Gutierrez, Erwin Saavedra, Edward Zenteno
Midfielders (9): Carmelo Algarañaz, Pedro Azogue, Jhasmani Campos, Raul Castro, Cristhian Machado, Alejandro Melean, Fernando Saucedo, Martin Smedberg-Dalence, Walter Veizaga
Forwards (4): Juan Carlos Arce, Yasmani Duk, Bruno Miranda, Rodrigo Ramallo
replaced Samuel Galindo due to injury
Starting XI (5-4-1)
- GK: Carlos Lampe (Sports Boys Warnes)
- RB: Diego Bejarano (The Strongest)
- CB: Ronald Eguino (Bolivar)
- CB: Fernando Martelli (The Strongest)
- CB: Luis Gutierrez (Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona)
- LB: Marvin Bejarano (Oriente Petrolero)
- RM: Juan Carlos Arce (Bolivar)
- DM: Alejandro Chumacero (The Strongest)
- DM: Danny Bejarano (Bolivar)
- LM: Martin Smedberg (IFK Gothenburg)
- FW: Yasmani Duk (New York Cosmos)
Style of play
The Bolivians will try to shorten games as much as possible and keep things tight, but their relative lack of skill and lack of players regularly experiencing play in top leagues often makes this a fool's game. The team will hope to rely on counters and set pieces, but have gone scoreless in three of five games since Baldivieso took over. Most matches at this level are uphill battles for them.
How they qualified
Automatically qualified as one of 10 South American nations.
Copa America history
Bolivia have won one title, way back in 1963, and were shock runners-up in 1997. Last year, they escaped the group stage for the first time since that final appearance, snapping a futility streak that lasted five editions. They have yet to win a knockout match in the 41 years since the format was changed.
Memorable moments
Bolivia's shining achievement came with the 1963 Copa America title. They also finished second in 1997, but there haven't been many other highlights. La Verde have only qualified for three World Cups, but only one since 1950 and they've only managed a single point from six matches at the big dance.
United States vs Boliviaa
Matches |
US Wins |
US Losses |
Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
Overall |
0 |
2 |
5 |
MLS Connections
While there are no Bolivians currently employed by league clubs, two of the four previous imports from CONMEBOL's underdog side are among the biggest names in MLS history. Having played all but one of his 15 MLS season with D.C. United, Jaime Moreno piled up 133 regular season goals (good for third on the all-time list), four MLS Cup crowns, a Golden Boot and two US Open Cup wins. His old United set-up man, Marco Etcheverry, is one of just seven MLS players to have surpassed 100 career assists while earning three MLS Cup rings and an MVP award.
Team Guides
