USA vs. Argentina: 2016 Copa America Date, Time, TV Schedule and Live Stream

The first Copa America semi-final is one that neutrals around the world have been craving, as the hosts, the United States, go toe-to-toe with the fantastic favourites for the title—Argentina.

Jurgen Klinsmann’s USMNT have had to battle and scrap their way to this point, with a 2-1 win over Ecuador in the quarter-finals epitomising their remarkable fighting spirit. Meanwhile, after beating reigning champions Chile in their opener, it’s been pretty plain sailing for Argentina, who hammered Venezuela 4-1 on their way to the final four.

The NRG Stadium in Houston is set for a treat when these two battle it out for a spot in Sunday’s final. Here are the key viewing details for the semi-final and a closer look at how this one is likely to play out.

Date: Tuesday, June 21

Time: 9 p.m. (ET), 2 a.m. (BST, June 22) 

TV Info: Fox Sports 1 (US), Premier Sports (UK)

Live Stream: FOX Soccer 2GO (US), Premier Sports Player (UK)

Hosts Out to Tame Fantastic Favourites

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

The United States looked like a team primed for group-stage elimination after Colombia beat them 2-0 in their opening game. They huffed and puffed in front of a home crowd, but eventually, they were outclassed.

Since then, they’ve recovered well. They hammered Costa Rica 4-0 before a hard-earned 1-0 win against Paraguay booked their place in the final eight. Against Ecuador, things were nervy, especially after they went down to 10 men, but the United States found a way to get over the line, much to the delight of the raucous Seattle fans.

As we can see here, courtesy of the head coach's tweet, he's expecting the American supporters to play their part in what’ll be a fascinating tussle:

“We are not scared of them at all,” said Klinsmann of the Argentina side they’ll be facing, per Steven Goff of the Washington Post. “We admire their players. This is now a special moment. I told the players yesterday before we started training, ‘This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity now.’”

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

It’s a brilliant chance for the CONCACAF outfit to create a historic moment, but the challenge facing them is an almighty one.

Argentina have beaten the holders and sashayed through every game after that. In four games, they’ve netted a whopping 14 goals, with the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria and, of course, captain Lionel Messi to worry about.

While Messi has only started one game at this tournament so far, he’s made two huge impacts from the substitutes' bench. These OptaJavier numbers show just how influential he has been to the team's attacking play:

Granted, these illustrious attacking cogs have been present in recent major competitions, with Argentina coming up just short last summer in the Copa final and against Germany at the 2014 FIFA World Cup's final hurdle. This group Tata Martino assembled seems to have a better balance than usual, though.

In goal, Sergio Romero has looked assured, while a centre-back pairing of Ramiro Funes Mori and Nicolas Otamendi, Javier Mascherano shielded brilliantly, has provided a solid base from which they can launch their attacks. Ever Banega has arguably been the star man, though, tying everything together wonderfully.

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

As football journalist Nick Dorrington noted, the playmaker has linked up well with his captain:

"

feel privileged to have watched Banega in person on a fairly regular basis over last two years.Looks like Messi finally has his collaborator

— Nick Dorrington (@chewingthecoca) June 19, 2016"

Klinsmann has shown throughout his tenure in charge of the USMNT that he can set up his team to nullify brilliant attacking opposition. If they can defend well, feed off the supporters in Houston and utilise Clint Dempsey's predatory talents on the counter-attack, Argentina will have problems.

La Albiceleste will ultimately be too strong, though. Banega has emerged as the metronome his team has lacked in a deeper midfield position, meaning they’re much more adept at breaking down sitting opposition. He and Messi have shown a lot of creativity in those pockets of space in the final third, and their influence will prove key again.

Prediction: United States 0-2 Argentina