U.S. Interest in Copa América Surges Despite Early Exit
The United States men's soccer team may have exited the Copa América in the group stage, but the tournament has captured significant public interest. The team's final match, a 1-0 loss to Uruguay, garnered an average of 3.78 million viewers on FS1, making it the most-watched non-World Cup soccer match on the channel. This audience peaked at 4.87 million viewers by the end of the game.
Record-Breaking Viewership and Economic Impact
The 2024 Copa América, hosted in the United States, has seen a remarkable rise in viewership. Matches broadcasted on Fox, FS1, and FS2 have averaged 1.1 million viewers, a significant increase from the 216,000 viewers during the tournament's last edition in 2021. The only other time the Copa América was held in the U.S., in 2016, the average viewership was 774,000. These figures highlight the growing interest in soccer within the American market, despite the challenges faced on the field.
Challenges and Controversies Surrounding the Tournament
Despite the high viewership, the tournament has not been without its issues. The playing fields, some with synthetic grass and others in poor condition, have drawn criticism from players and coaches alike. Lionel Scaloni, the Argentina coach, and Néstor Lorenzo, the Colombia coach, both expressed concerns about the quality of the grass, which they said affected gameplay. Additionally, the extreme heat and unorthodox camera angles for broadcasts have added to the list of complaints. The VAR system has also been a point of contention, with its analog technology causing controversies in several matches.
- The U.S. team's early exit from the Copa América has not dampened the overall enthusiasm for the tournament. The quarter-finals are set to take place from Thursday to Saturday, with the semi-finals scheduled for next week. The final will be held on July 14 in Miami Gardens, Florida.
- Lionel Messi remains a central figure in the tournament, despite missing a game due to injury. His presence continues to draw significant attention from American audiences. The Argentine team, current world champions, are seen as a major attraction, overshadowing other teams and players.
- The tournament has also highlighted the ongoing challenges of hosting international soccer events in the United States. Issues such as field dimensions, grass quality, and the scheduling of local league matches during the tournament have been points of criticism. These factors will need to be addressed ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host.
- In addition to the U.S. team's elimination, Mexico also made an early exit, affecting the atmosphere in the stadiums, which are largely filled with Latin American immigrants. Venezuela and Panama have emerged as surprise leaders in their groups, alongside traditional powerhouses like Uruguay and Argentina.
