USA vs Uruguay Match Preview – Huge Stakes on Home Soil

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Gregg Berhalter’s side have made life difficult for themselves in Group C after an ill-disciplined decision from Timothy Weah ended up costing his side a 2-1 defeat to Panama in Atlanta.

Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton shows a red card to USA's forward #21 Tim Weah during the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament group C football match between Panama and USA at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 27, 2024. (Photo by EDUARDO MUNOZ / AFP) (Photo by EDUARDO MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images)

This defeat now means that the USMNT may have to win to progress to the knockouts if Panama can defeat a winless Bolivia side in the final round of group games. They have only been eliminated at this stage twice before in their last four appearances in Copa America (1993 & 2007).

The United States have never even reached the final of the Copa America, with the semi-final being the best stage they have ever managed to reach in this prestigious competition.

Uruguay may look to rest players in this fixture as without a miraculous victory for the USA or Panama, they have already won the group due to their fantastic goal difference alongside their two victories so far.

However, some believe that Uruguay may want to make a statement by defeating and also potentially eliminating the host nation and will still go full strength despite already securing a spot in the knockout rounds.

Darwin Nuñez of Uruguay celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Group C match between Uruguay and Bolivia at MetLife Stadium on June 27, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Although Uruguay have not won this tournament since 2011, victory in America this summer would mean they would surpass Argentina and become the most successful team in Copa America history with a potential 16th title on the line.

Team News

USA already know they will be without Timothy Weah after his antics in their game against Panama which led to his red card. He will be a big miss for Berhalter’s side in what is going to be a crucial game for their tournament.

Matt Turner will also be unlikely to feature after he was withdrawn halfway through their game against Panama with an injury. This would therefore mean Ethan Horvarth would step in to replace him between the sticks.

Marcelo Bielsa will have free reign on who to play in Missouri as there are no new injury concerns for his Uruguay side after their 5-0 demolition of Bolivia last time out.

Rodrigo Bentancur of Uruguay celebrates with teammate Ronald Araujo after scoring the team's fifth goal during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Group C match between Uruguay and Bolivia at MetLife Stadium on June 27, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

He may look to rest star players such as Darwin Nunez and Federico Valverde in an attempt to keep his best players available for the knockout rounds.

Previous Meetings

These two sides have only met eight times previously, but the history between these two sides now dates back an entire century.

La Celeste have been the better side throughout these previous meetings, winning four times and drawing twice, meaning they have only lost twice to the USMNT in 1991 and 2002.

Their most recent meeting before this upcoming match came in 2022 at this exact venue, as the two sides played out a scoreless draw in Kansas City.

The importance of this game for the hosts cannot be understated. After their disaster in Atlanta last week, they have made qualification a lot more difficult for themselves.

Many believe that Panama should defeat Bolivia in their final game which would see them onto six points. This would mean the USA would have to defeat Uruguay in order to not exit the tournament at the earliest possible opportunity.

A huge game for the hosts, it all begins at 9:00 pm ET in Kansas City on Monday. The question is, will they have enough to progress?

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Source link : https://www.vavel.com/en-us/soccer/2024/07/01/1187083-usavs-uruguay-match-preview-huge-stakes-on-home-soil.amp.html Author : Publish date : 2024-07-01 12:36:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source .