The United States Men’s National Team opened the 2024 Copa America with a victory over Bolivia (2-1) and a defeat to Panama (1-2). Hopes of advancing to the quarterfinal round hang by a thread, with help likely needed in the other Group C fixture. Looking to spoil the hosts’ dreams and grab first place is Uruguay, which has claimed the title 15 times, tied for the record with Argentina. The match is set for Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, a 76,416-seat American football venue with a natural NorthBridge® Bermudagrass surface.
This is the ninth all-time meeting between the two nations, sharing a 2-2-4 record. Ranked 14th internationally by FIFA, Uruguay is coming off of a disappointing finish at the World Cup, failing to advance from the arguable Group of Death that featured Portugal, South Korea, and Ghana. La Celeste (The Sky Blue) is at a comfortable second in the CONMEBOL qualifying table with 13 points from six matches, the lone loss coming to Ecuador (0-2). The Copa América opened with wins against Panama (3-1) and Bolivia (5-0).
A certain Marcelo Bielsa was appointed to the manager role in May of 2023, replacing Diego Alonso. Following his tenure at Leeds United, the 68-year-old Argentine was expected to remain in England (Bournemouth and Everton were linked) but instead opted to return to the international level, having previously held the reins at Argentina and Chile. According to The Athletic, he “fell into [the] lap” of the Uruguayan Football Association due to already owning a home in the capital city of Montevideo and “spending considerable time in the country” with an appreciation for the “tranquility and the privacy” afforded to him.
Despite two victories, Bielsa remains implacable. “Without underestimating the strengths of the two teams we faced, those teams are not among the main competitors for the title,” the manager said following the Bolivia match. “Respectfully, I think that there are some very significant steps to be taken. Drawing conclusions today would be incorrect. Winning two games without facing the best teams in the competition does not allow us to define ourselves as one of the most important teams, that is a long way from being confirmed.”
Bielsa named a 26-player roster for the Copa América, largely the expected group that has competed together this year. The entirety of the squad is based abroad, with 14 of the call-ups on the books at European clubs. Matías Vecino is absent following his retirement from the international level, while the oft-included Facundo Torres was left out of the tournament.
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GOALKEEPERS (3): Sergio Rochet (Internacional), Santiago Mele (Atlético Junior), Franco Israel (Sporting CP)
DEFENDERS (8): José Giménez (Atlético Madrid), Sebastián Cáceres (América), Ronald Araújo (Barcelona), Guillermo Varela (Flamengo), Mathías Olivera (Napoli), Matías Viña (Flamengo), Nicolás Marichal (Dynamo Moscow), Lucas Olaza (Krasnodar)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Manuel Ugarte (Paris Saint-Germain), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicolás de la Cruz (Flamengo), Nahitan Nández (Cagliari), Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Maximiliano Araújo (Toluca), Emiliano Martínez (Midtjylland)
FORWARDS (7): Luis Suárez (Inter Miami), Facundo Pellistri (Granada), Agustín Canobbio (Athletico Paranaense), Brian Rodríguez (América), Darwin Núñez (Liverpool), Cristian Olivera (Los Angeles FC), Brian Ocampo (Cádiz)
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Open to tailoring his tactics based on squad makeup, gone is Bielsa’s fabulous 3-1-3-3, replaced by a more standard 4-3-3 that seeks to “accumulate players on the inside” and “look for positional advantages on the wings” with quick attacks. This particular Uruguay has been “aggressive and attractive” in all phases but “without forgetting the collective” with a “hard-running ethos and mutual support.” The “high-volume, high-energy” strategy seeks to maximize the athletic roster while constantly launching ahead, contrary to the more traditionally staid international strategies. Caño Football notes that overloads are a priority in all areas, whether by forming triangles or having “teammates flood spaces in front of the ball and [charge at] the last line of defense,” thus spreading out the opposing back line and reducing pressure.
Projected Uruguay Starting XI (via BuildLineup.com)
Sergio Rochet took over the number-one role following an injury to Fernando Muslera and has yet to look back, starting the majority of matches for Uruguay and playing every minute at the 2022 World Cup. The 31-year-old Internacional goalkeeper has worked to improve his distribution and could now be considered an average-to-above-average passer and a welcome contributor in the build-up phase. While far from flashy and more aptly described as responsive, he is a composed, stay-at-home shot stopper who looks to cut down on angles and make safe saves without forcing catches. His ventures off of the line are infrequent yet result in the successful handling of crosses.
As Bielsa lives up to his maverick reputation, fullback Mathías Olivera of Napoli has been employed on the center of the line in the first two matches, which is a reasonable fit due to success in the air, shutdown ability in the one-on-one, shot blocking, and secure passing. When given the opportunity, his work to make solo runs, play crosses, and finish can provide additional support across the length of the field, particularly when individual effort is required to break open a static match. The other spot is likely to be filled by Barcelona’s versatile Ronald Araújo, a six-foot-two “Colossus” with aggressive actions and the ability to play a high line and mark tightly. His “exceptional ground-covering” and high level of athleticism pair with strong performances in aerial duels and keen situational awareness. In his first World Cup cycle, Sebastián Cáceres has started every qualifying fixture and is credited with “silencing Lionel Messi.” The five-foot-eleven Club América centre-back has a balanced profile with excellent speed, selfless shot-blocking, physical tackling, long-range distribution, and successful heading in both the final and defensive thirds.
Lining up at left fullback is Matías Viña of Flamengo, a balanced option who is reemerging as a driving attacker after a disappointing stretch in Europe. Despite his constant presence as a distributor in the final third, he manages to also be a nuisance when bringing down dribblers and intercepting the opponent’s passes. Indicative of the manager’s breakneck style, the uber-versatile Nahitan Nández of Cagliari should occupy the opposite side of the formation and provide tackling along with the ability to slide past multiple defenders. The 28-year-old from Punta del Este is attracting constant transfer interest due to his tireless effort, perpetual motion, intelligent creation of space, contribution to the build-up, shrewd decision-making, and driving solo runs.
Manfred Ugarte joined Paris Saint-Germain for a reported $60 million and immediately justified the fee, described by Driblab as “the great defensive specialist of the moment” and having produced some of Ligue 1’s best interception, passing, and tackling statistics that span the breadth of the field. The “all-action” six with a “big engine” has the coverage and the competency in the build-up to allow his teams to deploy a single holding midfielder, freeing up his teammates to advance. Real Madrid’s Federico “Fede” Valverde is a “three-lunged midfielder” with “tireless running” and “the eagerness to cover every blade of grass,” whether providing link-up support or dropping back with pace that “closes down opponents quickly.” He pushes to the wings, drifting mostly to the right, and is an “adept distributor” while maintaining stellar command of the ball that allows him to pick the right pass or drive forward with “penetrating runs.” The triangle is topped by Nicolás de la Cruz of Flamengo, who has taken on a star role during World Cup qualifying with three goals and three assists, scoring in every possible way. Serving as the team’s chief creative force, analysts praise him as a hybrid box-to-box and a ten who can do “absolutely everything” from full-field delivery to well-timed tackles with “spellbinding ability,” to say nothing of his “explosive athleticism.” There’s also the possibility that Giorgian de Arrascaeta steps into the starting lineup, cited as “a devilish dribbler with close control” who “takes a mean free-kick and delivers a good cross.” The energetic ten is a constant drumbeat of danger by taking the game directly at opponents, sacrificing his body regardless of potential contact, and daring to attempt flashy finishes and eye-popping dispersal.
An effortless creator and ball progressor, Maximiliano Araújo made his senior international debut in 2023 and quickly justified Bielsa’s faith with three assists during qualifying. The Toluca winger (who can also line up at fullback) tackles well, has excellent field vision, and completes quick field switches that arrive before the back line can reset. Despite a disappointing spring on loan at Granada, Facundo Pellistri remains an excellent dribbler with the ability to change the outcome of a match with a single run. The 22-year-old from Montevideo is a highly-skilled asset who does his best work in the final third with incisive passes and crosses but can also advance possession while dancing down the touchline.
Leading the formation is Darwin Núñez, who had a respectable 18 goals and 13 assists in 54 appearances last season for Liverpool and another five and three in World Cup qualifying. The composed 6’2” striker boasts “clever movement and positioning,” picking the perfect moment for his runs and using an imposing frame to battle with opposing centre-backs. More than a robotic tap-in merchant, he presses with dogged intent (sometimes drawing the ire of opponents), dribbles out of tight areas to open up space for teammates, and distributes at a reasonable clip. However, finishing remains his main bailiwick, thriving in a face-paced set-up that requires players to adjust on the fly, lead the transition, and produce magic with a single volleyed touch.
After an underwhelming start to the Copa América, the USMNT now has to contend with Group C’s most challenging opponent and will likely require a positive result and some help to advance. By comparison, Uruguay is in the running to win the tournament, particularly in light of Brazil and Argentina appearing fellable. The situation seems dire and almost unsalvageable, but the CONCACAF program has overcome worse odds and could even manage to sneak into the knockout phase with a loss, as goal differential is a primary tiebreaker.
The match is scheduled for Monday, July 1st at 9:00 p.m. Eastern, 6:00 p.m. Pacific. Viewing options include Fox Sports 1, Fox Deportes, Univision, TUDN, and FUBO TV (free trial).
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Publish date : 2024-06-29 11:00:00
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