Copa America Preview: USMNT vs. Uruguay (July 1, 9:00 PM EST)
The US men’s national team will close out the group stage of the Copa América by taking on the tournament’s most successful team in 15-time champions Uruguay. This showdown in Kansas City has taken on a new complexion following a dramatic matchday 2, which saw the US fall to Panama 2-1 in Atlanta, and Uruguay predictably trounce Bolivia 5-0 at Metlife. With Uruguay all but assured qualification to the quarterfinals, the US and Panama sit on 3 points apiece with the stars and stripes edging los canaleros on goal difference. Unless Bolivia pulls off a miracle against Panama, the US have no choice but to beat Bielsa’s high flying Uruguay, or they will be dumped out of the group stage as hosts at the hands of their CONCACAF rivals.
- Matchup: USA vs. Uruguay
- Date: Monday, July 1, 2024
- Kickoff Time: 9:00 PM EST
- Referee: TBD
- Fifa World Ranking: USA (11), Uruguay (14)
- Venue: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- TV Viewing Options: FOX, TUDN, Univision
- Streaming Options: FOX Sports, Fubo, ViX
- Head to Head: 2-4-1 (USA-draw-Uruguay)
USA vs. Uruguay - Game Preview
Head to Head
Somewhat surprisingly, the US edges Uruguay all time in wins, one in 1986 and another in 2002. Both of those came in friendlies though, as these two teams have only played once in a competitive setting. Uruguay beat the debutant US 1-0 in their opening game of the 1993 Copa América thanks to a goal from Santiago Ostolaza in Ambato, Ecuador. This would be the South American’s only win in the competition that year, as they were dumped out in the quarterfinals, with the US crashing out in the group stages in their first appearance as an invitee. Ironically, at the next edition of the Copa América in 1995, Uruguay won as hosts while the US managed their best ever finish in 4th place, though they didn’t cross paths on that particular occasion.
Injuries and Suspensions
Uruguay have been fortunate in the regard that their starting line-up has barely been affected by suspension or injury going into the tournament. Sebastián Cáceres of Club América has occasionally started for Bielsa, and is working back to full fitness after an injury to the medial meniscus in his left knee on club duty. He managed 30 minutes against Panama in their opener, but didn’t see the field at Metlife. Backup goalkeeper Franco Israel was also included in the squad, despite having surgery on an injured meniscus late into the club season.
Uruguay have no suspensions going into the match.
It is another story entirely for the US when it comes to the players they have available for Monday. Sergiño Dest wasn’t called up due to an ACL tear, and Tyler Adams can so far only manage one full half of play while recovering from a long-term hamstring injury. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Matt Turner picked up a knock against Panama, and was subbed out for Ethan Horvath at halftime as we await an update on the health of USA’s number 1.
The biggest storyline of the match with Panama was undoubtedly Timothy Weah’s straight red card in the 18th minute for violent conduct, after appearing to strike a Panama defender in the back of the head. This will see him miss the crucial clash against Uruguay.
Team Overviews
USA: The expectations for this team going into the tournament have completely turned on a dime after the showing against Panama. A lot will come down to how this team will replace Timothy Weah, and contain a free-scoring Uruguayan attack who haven’t lost a competitive game since September of 2023.
Gio Reyna will likely be key to this game if he is to replace Weah in the US front line, with Yunus Musah taking up his spot in midfield. Reyna has had a tumultuous few years since the 2022 World Cup, with media scandal after media scandal overshadowing his on-pitch performances. This season, Reyna has struggled for minutes at club level, but has been shown unrelenting faith in his ability by his national team, who will need him to show out in KC on Monday if they are to stand any chance against Uruguay.
In order to neutralize Uruguay’s attack, the defense will need to perform better than they showed in the match against Panama. If Turner is unavailable for selection, Horvath will need to step up and keep his backline organized. Uruguay's attacking surges can be devastating, having scored 8 goals in their first 2 Copa América games.
Keep an eye out for Haji Wright, who might see some time on the field if Berhalter opts for more physicality in attack depending on the dynamic late in the game. Wright has come up big for the US in tournaments recently, with an important late brace against Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League and a consolation goal against the Netherlands in Qatar.
Uruguay: La celeste’s spot in the knockouts seems quite secure, so there’s a small chance that they may be on cruise control for this match. That does seem fairly unlikely, as Bielsa’s reputation as an unyielding man does not lend itself to having any games taken lightly. Some complacency might still arise within parts of the team, as they have only had the Argentine manager for less than a year and are still relatively young.
More significantly will be their defensive discipline, as it has barely been tested in this tournament. Seeing as this game is do or die for the US, Uruguay can expect a more aggressive and more talented attack (on paper) than anything they have faced thus far in the Copa América. Uruguay’s defenders are elite and have found a balanced system under Bielsa, which makes the odds look pretty bleak for the USMNT attack.
Keep an eye out for the duo of Nicolás de la Cruz and Giorgian de Arrascaeta, both fantastic ball progressing, creative players in the Uruguayan midfield who remain fairly slept on because they have never played club football in Europe. The two are club teammates at Flamengo and are currently splitting time for the national team, with De Arrascaeta starting the opener and being subbed off for De la Cruz, and the inverse taking place in the match with Bolivia. De la Cruz already has 2 assists while de Arrascaeta has earned 1 as well. Whoever gets the starting nod against the US will be critical in dictating the attacking tempo and generating quality chances for Darwin Núñez, Maximiliano Araújo and Facundo Pellistri.
Game Predictions and Expectations
The USMNT came into the 2024 Copa América with heaps of pressure to perform as hosts, in something of a trial run for the 2026 World Cup, which will similarly be set on home soil with some help from neighboring Mexico and Canada. Ninety minutes of pandemonium in Atlanta has turned the hosts' cautious optimism about potentially winning the trophy into sheer desperation to merely advance out of their group.
Uruguay on the other hand, came in as one of the favorites to win the competition and have shown they deserve such high expectations with dominant score lines seeing them atop the group going into the final matchday. Their ability to generate goal scoring chances for their forwards is virtually unparalleled in this competition, and though the US may be able to catch them out on a few occasions as Panama did in the opener, la celeste’s firepower will ultimately be too much for the stars and stripes to handle, unless Uruguay field a significantly weaker side.
My picks for USA vs Uruguay are:
Match Result after Regular Time:
- USA +150
- Tie +220
- Uruguay +188
Uruguay Total Goals after Regular Time:
- 1.5 Over (-180)
- Under (-250)
Author: Venuse, Inc.