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The United States men’s national team put in a good effort, but fell to Uruguay 1-0 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, eliminating them from the 2024 Copa América in the group stage.
Mathias Olivera’s second-half goal survived a lengthy VAR review and Uruguay completed the group stage with a perfect record (3-0-0, 12 goals scored and one conceded), while the Americans lost twice after beating Bolivia 2-0.
( FURTHER: United States suffers an unexpected defeat against Panama | Player ratings after the defeat )
Now we’ll wait to see if the effort was enough to keep coach Gregg Berhalter in the head coaching job with a home World Cup just two years away.
The Yankees emerge from an easy group stage thanks in large part to a 10-man loss to CONCACAF rival Panama, as they exit their second major tournament with just one multi-goal performance (against lowly Bolivia).
( FURTHER: Copa America 2024 Predictions | Copa America schedule )
Christian Pulsic’s reaction
Live on FOX after the game
“It’s hard to say right now, emotions are running high. We had a good start and brought enough energy, but at the end of the day we didn’t have enough quality. We feel like we gave it our all, but we couldn’t find a solution.
About the referee: “There’s a lot. I don’t want to talk too much about the tough stuff. It’s frustrating, but that’s what this tournament is about.”
What’s next for the USMNT? “It’s about getting some rest, regrouping and finding an identity again. We have big things ahead of us.”
Whats Next?
Nothing for the United States, which will have its under-23 team at the Olympic Games at the end of the month and will wait until September for friendlies.
Uruguay will play either Brazil or Colombia in the quarter-finals on July 6.
How to watch Uruguay vs USMNT, streaming link and start time
Kick off: 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday (July 1)
Stadium:Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
How to watch on TV, streaming in the United States:FS1, Fox Sports
Uruguay vs USMNT Live Updates — By Nick Mendola
Uruguay vs USMNT live: 1-0
Top scorers: M. Olivera (66′)
Desperate clean-up by Uruguay
This is good from the US, as Reyna finds Haji Wright.
The Coventry City player sees his shot deflected towards goal, but Rochet saves it just before it reaches the line.
So close to a draw for the U.S., but Panama regains lead over Bolivia
Double trouble for the United States
The draw is no longer enough, as Panama regained the lead over Bolivia.
But there’s a big opportunity here for the USMNT, as Rochet slips and is caught out of position.
Weston McKennie plays it inside, but Pulisic’s attempt is cleared off the line by a leaping Manuel Ugarte.
Haji Wright comes on for Scally. 80′
Goal by Mathias Olivera! Uruguay 1-0 USMNT (minute 66)
Uruguay has a free kick from the right.
Ronald Araujo beats Tim Ream and Turner saves the header.
But the ball is put in by Mathias Olivera, who is (waiting after a long VAR review) in an offside position.
There will be controversy here as it appeared Olivera gained an advantage by being offside on Araujo’s initial header.
URUGUAY TAKES THE LEAD
Seconds after Bolivia tied with Panama, Uruguay scored and the United States team was eliminated from the 2024 Copa América image.twitter.com/0IZfEwPzJw
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2024
Bolivia ties against Panama!
As things stand, USMNT moves on to the knockout rounds.
USMNT in this and Scally battling an injury
Are we in for another change for the USMNT 10 minutes into the second half?
It seems that Scally can’t take it anymore and Shaq Moore is warming up his engines to replace the Borussia Monchengladbach man.
But Scally will try to play.
Halftime — Uruguay 0-0 USMNT
A real fight with three yellow cards, one substitute due to injury for each team, 13 fouls and only four attempts at shooting.
The xG is 0.53-0.01 in favor of Uruguay, while possession is 50:50.
It was a very exciting match, but Balogun’s departure hurts. Uruguay have Luis Suárez, Brian Rodríguez and Rodrigo Bentancur on the bench.
The Yankees could turn to Haji Wright, Josh Sargemt or Malik Tillman. They need gain, Panama has the advantage over Bolivia. Bolivia’s tie was annulled.
Darwin Nunez Yellow as Scally Shaken
Darwin Núñez passes his leg to Joe Scally, bringing the American down close to the touchline.
He will see a yellow card, the first for Uruguay.
Scally remains off the field receiving treatment but will remain in the game at least until halftime, which is looming.
Kristoffer Lund and Shaq Moore are the full-back options on the bench unless Berhalter drops McKennie or Musah from midfield or moves Ream to left back or Richards to right back.
Balogun stops
Gregg Berhalter has to make a change as Folarin Balogun comes over and grabs his hip after pressing to win the ball back.
Ricardo Pepi enters in the 41st minute.
Pure chaos
Chris Richards brings down De la Cruz and receives a yellow card.
Uruguay makes a quick restart as the referee shows the card… and lets them play forward!
Matt Turner is beaten, but Tim Ream makes a heroic recovery to clear the danger and shoot.
Penalty controversy after Folarin Balogun’s absence
Folarin Balogun is brought down by Ronald Araujo inside the area and both the striker and Uruguayan goalkeeper Sergio Rochet are left shaken.
Balogun was offside at the tackle, so a penalty is looming and he will remain in the match.
Bolivia has scored 1-1. USMNT now qualifies if nothing changes.
Terrifying injury when Ream collides with
Uruguay’s players are urgently asking their coaches for help following a nasty collision after the team’s first corner kick.
USMNT defender Tim Ream and Maximiliano Araujo were involved in the incident, and Araujo is being taken off the field on a stretcher in a neck brace.
LAFC’s Cristian Olivera takes Araujo’s place.
Panama has scored against Bolivia. For the moment, the United States team is eliminated.
Tyler Adams sees yellow
The USMNT midfielder catches Olivera, who also catches him.
It is a yellow card shown to Adams in the 17th minute.
A pair of American corners and a chance to counterattack
If you had any questions about the commitment and desperation of the USMNT players, this display should answer them.
The Yankees won two corners and Giovanni Reyna put in a good cross that was collected by Rochet.
It’s only 14 minutes, but the table is set for a solid performance, win or lose.
This… is… already… a street fight
Wow. Both teams have been shooting from traps and the tackles are coming from very sharp angles.
Weston McKennie and Maximiliano Araujo get tangled up near the byline in the opening minutes and Antonee Robinson collides with Facundo Pellistri.
What’s at stake tonight?
While we can’t guarantee that Gregg Berhalter’s job is on the line tonight (the Yankees could play very well against Uruguay and still lose), his stock could surely benefit from a win over a good team not named Mexico (which isn’t exactly in a golden generation). After all, the U.S. national team barely escaped an easy group at the World Cup and lost to Panama here.
But failing to make it out of the group stage would leave questions hanging until the World Cup. After all, they won’t be playing many strong teams and certainly not in important games considering they are already heading to the 2026 World Cup as hosts. In fact It’s good for Berhalter and the boys to get a win at an important stage against a team that is in the top 20.
Uruguay lineup
Rochet, Nandez, R. Araujo, Olivera, Vina, Ugarte, Valverde, De La Cruz, M. Araujo, Pellistri, Nuñez
USMNT Lineup
Turner; A. Robinson, Ream, Richards, Scally; Adams, McKennie, Musah; Reyna, Balogun, Pulisic
News and focus on the Uruguayan national team
Luis Suarez, Rodrigo Bentancur and Giorgian de Arrascaeta could all come into the starting lineup, while Ugarte, Valverde and Nunez could all be rested. Regardless, whatever team Uruguay fields, it will be packed with incredible talent and Bielsa will be eager to win the match and go through as group winners, as the prospect of facing Brazil in the quarter-finals looks a little easier than facing Colombia at the moment. Right now, Uruguay look like the best team in this tournament and, along with Argentina, are the favourites to win it all.
USMNT News and Team Spotlight
Obviously, someone is going to come in for Weah and it should probably be Yunus Musah to give the U.S. national team some extra solidity in midfield. That would mean a midfield trio of Adams, McKennie, and Musah, with Pulisic and Reyna ahead of them and Balogun up front. Is that going to happen? Probably not. We could see Musah or McKennie start on the right, with Luca de la Torre or Johnny Cardoso coming into central midfield, while Brenden Aaronson could also start on the right in a direct switch to stop all of his positional changes. All of this sums up what a nightmare it was to lose Weah to that red card, as the right wing is an area where the U.S. national team doesn’t have much depth. On defense, the four of Robinson, Ream, Richards, and Scally should continue. Matt Turner’s injury is a big problem so Ethan Horvath will come in if Turner is unavailable and the Cardiff City goalkeeper looked shaky against Panama.
Uruguay vs USMNT Prediction
Team USA will do everything it can to hold its own and make things difficult for Uruguay, but it will be extremely difficult for the United States to match the pace and speed of play of Bielsa’s team. It will be harder than most expect, but Uruguay will get the job done and Team USA will have to hope for a favor from Bolivia. Uruguay 2-1 USMNT.