Copa America 2024 tips and predictions: USA vs Uruguay - Americans bow out on home soil
- George Dempsey
- 1 July 2024
If the United States fail to beat Uruguay at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night (0200 BST, Tues), they risk elimination from the Copa America at the group stage
The United States must beat Uruguay to guarantee their progress from Group C at the Copa America on Monday, with any other result leaving the door open for Panama.
Uruguay tops the group with six points, while the United States are second with three. Panama also have three points and will kick off against Bolivia simultaneously.
The expectation was Uruguay and the USA would make light work of Bolivia and Panama to set up an epic showdown to decide the group.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side held up their end of the bargain, ruthlessly dispatching Bolivia 5-0 with Darwin Nunez, Fede Valverde and Rodrigo Bentancur among the scorers.
Gregg Berhalter’s side also made light work of their South American opponents but Panama, who the Selecao beat 3-1, threw the cat among the pigeons.
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We weren’t complimentary about their chances pre-tournament, although the fact they were on home soil was seemingly enough for the bookmakers to make them a favourite.
That was always a nonsense price, as is their current FIFA ranking of 11. This group is better than any before it, yet it’s not fit to challenge for anything other than the Gold Cup.
Uruguay need one point to secure the group but it’s not in Bielsa’s makeup to play a situation. El Loco thinks the best way to protect a 1-0 lead in the 90th minute is to attack.
The US will have plenty of opportunity to create chances but they’ll be leaving themselves exposed, particularly late on, against a devastating counter-attacking side.
Key stats
- The sides drew 0-0 when they met in a friendly two years ago
- Uruguay beat Panama 3-1 and Bolivia 5-0 in their previous matches
- Bielsa’s side recently beat Brazil and Argentina 2-0 in World Cup qualifying
- The USA have failed to win six of their previous eight matches
- The USA have scored at least one goal in 22 of their last 23 matches
