Why Copa América matters for US men's national soccer team

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NEW YORK – The U.S. men’s national soccer team will be back in the spotlight this summer as they look to compete, upset a few teams and hopefully make a mark in Copa América.

Copa América will be hosted in the United States and will be broadcast on FOX Sports as part of the "Summer of Soccer" event. The U.S. will kick off its first match on June 23 against Bolivia.

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The U.S. Soccer Men's Team badge during the national anthem prior to a match against Slovenia at Toyota Field on January 20, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas (Alex Bierens de Haan/USSF/Getty Images)

With the drama settled down from the team’s 2022 World Cup exit, U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter will hope to have his squad ready to go for the draw. The U.S. is 11th in the FIFA Rankings and also has Panama and Uruguay in its group.

Alexi Lalas is the lead studio analyst for FOX Sports and Stu Holden is the lead match analyst for Copa America. Both former soccer stars explained to Fox News Digital why the tournament was big for the U.S.

"I think that this summer is important. I think it’s important for not just Gregg Berhalter and his team but maybe even more so from the outside and the perception that we have of this team and maybe changing the perception that we have of this team," Lalas said. "We’ve seen this team grow up in front of our eyes. This team is no longer a bunch of kids. They are not only older, but they are also playing in some incredible teams and leagues around the world. However, I think that this team needs kind of a seminal moment. 

FOX SPORTS' ALEXI LALAS, STU HOLDEN TALK PREPARATION BEFORE 'SUMMER OF SOCCER'