The USA have one shot at redemption to save their tournament, and they are facing a tricky situation with group leaders Uruguay.
The USA came into the game against Panama with one foot inside the knockout stages after their opening victory over Bolivia as they prepare to lock horns with Uruguay. All they needed was a win in the second game and a guarantee of progression from there on, but as Gregg Berhalter’s reign went on, they became inconsistent on a game-on-game basis, which showed.
Folarin Balogun opened the scoring with a stunner, and this was despite Timothy Weah’s early sending-off. By then, some doubts were creeping in, and those uncertainties became a reality when Panama equalised in the 26th minute through Cesar Blackman and then, late in the second half, didund the winner through Jose Fajardo to kill USA hopes. There was still some drama left as Panama’s Adalberto Carrasquilla was given his marching orders.
With parity restored, it was a little too late for Berhalter’s men to get something out, as the USA now face a tricky situation against Uruguay. While they are not particularly in must-win territory, they might have to, considering Panama may not go into their clash with Bolivia as favourites to win and potentially knock the host nation out of the tournament.
Uruguay can come into this clash with the handbrake off, and Marcelo Bielsa can seriously consider resting some of his critical stars in preparation for the knockout rounds. This is the result of their two victories in as many group games, as Bolivia became their latest victims in a 5-0 thrashing.
Bielsa’s style of play was on full display in that game, as Uruguay had five different scorers on the sheet. Now, Bielsa can test his fringe stars and add some minutes to their legs. The group leaders are not overly concerned about their chances of finishing on top of the group.
It will either take a massive defeat against the USA combined with a stellar win for Panama against Bolivia elsewhere, as a gigantic goal difference protects Uruguay from the two games. Hence, Bielsa’s men are destined to remain on top and, more so, finish as group winners for the first time since 2019.
Team News & Tactics
USA
Timothy Weah will undoubtedly be absent for this clash after his sending-off against Panama, with Brenden Aaronson likely to replace him on the left side of the attack. Matt Turner went off injured with a problem in his leg in the second half, which casts significant doubts over his involvement against Uruguay.
There was a Copa America debut for Cameron Carter-Vickers in the Panama clash, although he might not come in immediately to replace anyone at the heart of the defence. So, Tim Ream and Chris Richards are to start in defence, with Joe Scally and Antonee Robinson in the full-back roles.
Yunis Musah could start in central midfield this time out, as Belhalter hopes he can provide a different option to Tyler Adams. Giovanni Reyna and Weston McKennie are the other players to start there, while Christian Pulisic and Balogun will complete the front three for the USA.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Horvath; Scally, Richards, Ream, Robinson; McKennie, Musah, Reyna; Aaronson, Balogun, Pulisic
Uruguay
Marcelo Bielsa can ideally make some fundamental changes to refresh the lineup for this clash, although he might end up retaining most of his performers. The fact that Luis Suarez, Lucas Olaza, and Cristian Olivera all got their first minutes in the Copa America in the win over Bolivia means that only Olaza might make it into the starting eleven against the USA.
Darwin Nunez and Maximiliano Araujo are fighting for the golden boot as things stand, and they might keep their spots on the side. Similarly, Facundo Pelistri’s goal against Bolivia makes him a fixture in Bielsa’s attacking third.
Giorgian de Arrascaeta might replace Nicolas de la Cruz in the no.10 role, and together with Olaza, these are the two changes that Bielsa might consider. Beyond that, the team might remain intact, which is designed by Bielsa to give continuity and momentum ahead of the knockout rounds.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Rochet; Nandez, R.Araujo, M.Olivera, Olaza; Ugarte, Valverde; Pellistri, Arrascaeta, M.Araujo; Nunez
Key Stats
- The USA are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Uruguay in all competitions.
- The USA have lost to Uruguay in the only meeting between the two sides in this competition back in 1993.
- The Panama defeat was the first time since their loss to Argentina in 2007 that the USA scored first and lost the game.
- A victory over the USA could mark the first time Uruguay has finished the group with a 100% record.
- A victory against the USA could also ensure Uruguay will finish as group winners for the first time since 2019.
Player to Watch
Christian Pulisic
Once again, Pulisic will be under this spotlight for the host nation, as the conditions are drastically different from the clash against Panama. The AC Milan star will have to pull up his socks and deliver a performance that could potentially take the USA into the knockout phases.
USA might have to go into this game that Panama will win against Bolivia, and to secure their win over Uruguay, Pulisic & Co might have to score past Uruguay more than once and not concede. Should both the USA and Panama win, it will come down to goal difference, something Pulisic can help change in his team’s favour.
Prediction
USA 1-3 Uruguay
Marcelo Bielsa will not coach his side to sit back and rest on their laurels. The Chilean manager will want his team to score goals to win. That will be a point of bother for the USA, who are in a must-win sort of territory against Uruguay, assuming Panama are the favourite to get three points against Bolivia.
Taking into account that Bielsa is unlikely to rest his key performers, the USA has a big problem in their hands to get three points against the relentless Uruguayans. Hence, there is no chance for the host nation to get a victory, which might condemn to being eliminated from the Copa America altogether.
