KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The U.S. men’s national soccer team entered Copa América intent on proving its mettle two years before the World Cup. It wanted to show how much its young players have grown under Coach Gregg Berhalter and, in a fabled South American tournament, that it could go toe to toe with the sport’s heavyweights.
On the final night of Group C play, in a match they almost certainly needed to win while another game with bearing on their fate unfolded in Orlando, the Americans played hard and they played well. But they did not do enough, falling to powerhouse Uruguay, 1-0, and dropping out of the competition.
Favored at the start of the tournament to claim one of the group’s two quarterfinal berths, the United States (1-2-0) finished third behind Uruguay (3-0-0) and Panama (2-1-0), which defeated Bolivia, 3-1.
It was a gutting exit for the U.S. team, which sought to use Copa América as a springboard toward the 2026 World Cup. It was also a blow for Berhalter, who sought to strengthen his credentials under increasing fan criticism and growing questions about whether he is the right man for the job when soccer’s quadrennial spectacle is staged in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The entertaining and bruising affair before 55,460 at Arrowhead Stadium remained level until the 66th minute. Diego de la Cruz served a free kick into the heart of the penalty area. Ronald Arajúo won the header, directing a shot toward the left side. Matt Turner made a sensational save, but Mathias Olivera cleaned up the rebound.
Was Olivera offside, though? The video assistant referee took a long look before allowing the goal.
The Americans pushed furiously for the equalizer, but in Orlando, Panama had retaken the lead, all but ending the drama.
A tournament with 108 years of history, Copa América is being played in the United States for the second time and with six guest teams from the region encompassing North and Central America and the Caribbean.
It’s a high-end appetizer before the 2026 World Cup. But it was also a major primer for the U.S. team, which, over the next two years, is locked into regional tournaments and friendlies.
Things started well enough with a 2-0 victory over Bolivia on June 23, but a 2-1 loss to Panama on Thursday heightened the anxiety about reaching the next phase.
Seeking its first Copa title since 2011, group leader Uruguay had scored 12 goals in its previous three matches: four against Mexico in its final tuneup, then three against Panama and five against Bolivia.
Copa América falls amid La Celeste’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. So far, so good: a 4-1-1 record and second place behind Argentina in a 10-nation competition that will award six automatic berths and an intercontinental playoff slot in the expanded 48-team tournament.
Uruguay Coach Marcelo Bielsa, serving a one-game suspension because his team was late leaving the locker room at halftime in the previous match, retained the same starting lineup. He made just one change between the first two matches.
The lineup included players employed by Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United, Barcelona, Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain.
Berhalter needed to compensate for winger Tim Weah’s red-card suspension. Instead of making a straight-up swap, he moved Gio Reyna to the front line from midfield and inserted Yunus Musah into the midfield.
Turner was cleared to start after sitting out the second half of the Panama match with a leg injury and training in a limited capacity the previous two days.
The Americans got off to a crackling start. They were lively, proactive and dangerous. On his walk to a corner kick, Pulisic waved his arms, imploring fans to raise the noise level in a stadium known for deafening support.
The match then took two scary turns moments apart. On a Uruguayan corner kick, Maxi Araújo fell on his head after colliding with Tim Ream and a teammate. Players urgently waved to the sideline for medical assistance. Araújo seemed alert and moving his arms as he was removed on a stretcher.
Then, on a U.S. threat that was offside, Folarin Balogun was nudged into charging goalkeeper Sergio Rochet, causing a bone-rattling collision. After another incident, Balogun was not able to continue. Ricardo Pepi entered in the 41st minute.
The fast-paced half ended with a few threats, multiple bruises and no goals.
Uruguay set the terms after intermission, creating a stir and multiple close calls. Panama had taken the lead in the first half of its critical match against last-place Bolivia, boosting the pressure on the U.S. team to win.
Moments after Bolivia pulled even in Orlando, Uruguay seized the lead here.
Source link : https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/07/01/usmnt-copa-america-uruguay-group-play/
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Publish date : 2024-07-01 23:37:01
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