Follow live coverage of the USMNT’s crunch game against Uruguay, with the host nation in danger of an early Copa America exitSimilar to Uruguay looking to open the tournament with three straight wins, two of their players are looking to begin the tournament with goals in three straight outings.
Darwin Nunez and Maxi Araujo each scored in both of Uruguay's first two matches against Panama and Bolivia.
Another goal today for either man would make them the fifth Uruguayan to score in their first three matches in the competition, joining Pedro Petrone (1923), Mario Bergara (1959), Vladas Douskas (1959), and Jorge Oyarbide (1967).Uruguay are looking to open the Copa America with three straight wins for the first time since before the group stage was introduced.
The last time they did so was all the way back in 1959, when the tournament was known as the South American Championship. Uruguay went on to win the tournament for the 10th time that year.In stark contrast to Uruguay's eight goals, the USMNT have scored just three at this tournament, albeit with the caveat that they played most of their last game down a man.
Folarin Balogun has accounted for two of those three goals, scoring against both Bolivia and Panama. In 14 career appearances for the national team, this is the first time he has scored in back-to-back matches.
He also became just the second USMNT player to score in consecutive Copa America appearances, joining Clint Dempsey who scored in three straight inDespite having played only two matches so far, Uruguay lead Copa America 2024 with eight goals.
Those strikes have come from six different goalscorers: Darwin Nunez and Maxi Araujo with two apiece; and one each for Rodrigo Bentancur, Facundo Pellistri, Fede Valverde and Matias Vina.The history between these two teams dates back exactly 100 years, with their first meeting coming at the 1924 Olympics in Paris.
A 3-0 win for Uruguay propelled them into the quarterfinals, where they beat hosts France. Wins over the Netherlands and Switzerland followed as Uruguay won the first of two consecutive Olympic gold medals.The last meeting between the USMNT and Uruguay came in an international friendly in the summer of 2022 at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City.
The teams played out a scoreless draw with goalkeepers Sean Johnson and Fernando Muslera earning clean sheets.
That match was Joe Scally's first career USMNT start, coming at the age of 19.The USMNT and Uruguay have met eight times in the past, splitting those games evenly at two wins apiece alongside four draws.
This is their second meeting at Copa America, the first coming as a 1-0 win for Uruguay in the 1993 group stage.Gregg Berhalter on playing smart, but aggressive, against Uruguay: “It has to be measured. It’s a 90-minute game, it’s not about exposing yourself or opening yourself up in the first minutes of the game, it’s about the complete performance. … It’s about managing the game accordingly and knowing that they have some really good strengths; they have some weaknesses also, and we have to be mindful of that.
“Our job as a staff is to prepare the players, to stay calm, and prepare for different scenarios that may arise in the match.”Christian Pulisic spoke earlier this week on the big picture value of advancing in the Copa America for the sport’s growth in the United States, which co-hosts the 2026 World Cup with neighbors Canada and Mexico: “It’s a major tournament. We’re all extremely motivated, we want to put on a really strong performance and especially on home soil. Here in the U.S., we want to show everyone that we’re here to compete with the best. We want to continue in the tournament because that’s just our competitive nature.”Uruguay aren’t guaranteed top spot in Group C — the USMNT and Panama could also both finish on six points out of nine if they win their games today — but Marcelo Bielsa’s side are the most likely to finish first given that they have won both of their opening matches with a combined goal difference of plus seven.
If they do go on to win, they will face the Group D runners-up. Brazil sit in that position currently, although if they beat Colombia tomorrow they will top the group.
Whichever side wins Group D will face whoever finishes second in Group C. So if the USMNT get through they are almost guaranteed to face either Colombia or Brazil — or Costa Rica if Brazil lose and crash out at the first hurdle.When Marcelo Bielsa was hired, the Uruguayan press was nearly unanimously in favor of the decision. Some sectors of the press questioned Bielsa’s methods, and the Argentinian’s nationality was a problem for others. But, generally speaking, Uruguayans felt that Bielsa’s appointment confirmed that they were a heavyweight in global football.
Uruguay are expected to reach the final of this Copa America. They should expect nothing less based on their talent, their footballing culture and the man in charge on the touchline.
In March, Bielsa told reporters he had not had sufficient time to fully install his ideas. He then credited his players for executing his tactics in spite of a congested calendar. “The Uruguayan footballer has unconditional support for their national team, which leads to them prioritizing their country over everything else,” said Bielsa.
And before a pre-Copa America friendly against Mexico on June 5, Bielsa shuttered the idea that Uruguay were favorites to win the competition. “Teams express themselves based on the quality of their players,” Bielsa said. “National-team coaches are testimonial figures who have little influence, both in the good and the bad.”
One should expect nothing less from Bielsa. But if that commitment to the cause can align itself with his ideas, Uruguay may very well be the story of the 2024 Copa America.
Luke Brown
2h ago
Luke Brown
·
Managing Editor, News
‘An important and always difficult opponent’
Diego Reyes added that Uruguay were expecting a tough test against the USMNT later today.
“We have to put in the best performance we can,” he said. “The U.S. are a very important opponent, they have players from the best leagues in the world and they have been doing well for a long time under the current coach.
“Like all teams, they have their ups and downs. They have carried the burden of playing big games. They have a balanced squad of players who have played together for a long time, which makes them an important and always difficult opponent.”
USMNT vs Uruguay live updates: 2024 Copa America team news, scenarios and latest lineups
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Follow live coverage of the USMNT’s crunch game against Uruguay, with the host nation in danger of an early Copa America exitSimilar to Uruguay looking to open the tournament with three straight wins, two of their players are looking to begin the tournament with goals in three straight outings.
Darwin Nunez and Maxi Araujo each scored in both of Uruguay's first two matches against Panama and Bolivia.
Another goal today for either man would make them the fifth Uruguayan to score in their first three matches in the competition, joining Pedro Petrone (1923), Mario Bergara (1959), Vladas Douskas (1959), and Jorge Oyarbide (1967).Uruguay are looking to open the Copa America with three straight wins for the first time since before the group stage was introduced.
The last time they did so was all the way back in 1959, when the tournament was known as the South American Championship. Uruguay went on to win the tournament for the 10th time that year.In stark contrast to Uruguay's eight goals, the USMNT have scored just three at this tournament, albeit with the caveat that they played most of their last game down a man.
Folarin Balogun has accounted for two of those three goals, scoring against both Bolivia and Panama. In 14 career appearances for the national team, this is the first time he has scored in back-to-back matches.
He also became just the second USMNT player to score in consecutive Copa America appearances, joining Clint Dempsey who scored in three straight inDespite having played only two matches so far, Uruguay lead Copa America 2024 with eight goals.
Those strikes have come from six different goalscorers: Darwin Nunez and Maxi Araujo with two apiece; and one each for Rodrigo Bentancur, Facundo Pellistri, Fede Valverde and Matias Vina.The history between these two teams dates back exactly 100 years, with their first meeting coming at the 1924 Olympics in Paris.
A 3-0 win for Uruguay propelled them into the quarterfinals, where they beat hosts France. Wins over the Netherlands and Switzerland followed as Uruguay won the first of two consecutive Olympic gold medals.The last meeting between the USMNT and Uruguay came in an international friendly in the summer of 2022 at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City.
The teams played out a scoreless draw with goalkeepers Sean Johnson and Fernando Muslera earning clean sheets.
That match was Joe Scally's first career USMNT start, coming at the age of 19.The USMNT and Uruguay have met eight times in the past, splitting those games evenly at two wins apiece alongside four draws.
This is their second meeting at Copa America, the first coming as a 1-0 win for Uruguay in the 1993 group stage.Gregg Berhalter on playing smart, but aggressive, against Uruguay: “It has to be measured. It’s a 90-minute game, it’s not about exposing yourself or opening yourself up in the first minutes of the game, it’s about the complete performance. … It’s about managing the game accordingly and knowing that they have some really good strengths; they have some weaknesses also, and we have to be mindful of that.
“Our job as a staff is to prepare the players, to stay calm, and prepare for different scenarios that may arise in the match.”Christian Pulisic spoke earlier this week on the big picture value of advancing in the Copa America for the sport’s growth in the United States, which co-hosts the 2026 World Cup with neighbors Canada and Mexico: “It’s a major tournament. We’re all extremely motivated, we want to put on a really strong performance and especially on home soil. Here in the U.S., we want to show everyone that we’re here to compete with the best. We want to continue in the tournament because that’s just our competitive nature.”Uruguay aren’t guaranteed top spot in Group C — the USMNT and Panama could also both finish on six points out of nine if they win their games today — but Marcelo Bielsa’s side are the most likely to finish first given that they have won both of their opening matches with a combined goal difference of plus seven.
If they do go on to win, they will face the Group D runners-up. Brazil sit in that position currently, although if they beat Colombia tomorrow they will top the group.
Whichever side wins Group D will face whoever finishes second in Group C. So if the USMNT get through they are almost guaranteed to face either Colombia or Brazil — or Costa Rica if Brazil lose and crash out at the first hurdle.When Marcelo Bielsa was hired, the Uruguayan press was nearly unanimously in favor of the decision. Some sectors of the press questioned Bielsa’s methods, and the Argentinian’s nationality was a problem for others. But, generally speaking, Uruguayans felt that Bielsa’s appointment confirmed that they were a heavyweight in global football.
Uruguay are expected to reach the final of this Copa America. They should expect nothing less based on their talent, their footballing culture and the man in charge on the touchline.
In March, Bielsa told reporters he had not had sufficient time to fully install his ideas. He then credited his players for executing his tactics in spite of a congested calendar. “The Uruguayan footballer has unconditional support for their national team, which leads to them prioritizing their country over everything else,” said Bielsa.
And before a pre-Copa America friendly against Mexico on June 5, Bielsa shuttered the idea that Uruguay were favorites to win the competition. “Teams express themselves based on the quality of their players,” Bielsa said. “National-team coaches are testimonial figures who have little influence, both in the good and the bad.”
One should expect nothing less from Bielsa. But if that commitment to the cause can align itself with his ideas, Uruguay may very well be the story of the 2024 Copa America.
Luke Brown
2h ago
Luke Brown
·
Managing Editor, News
‘An important and always difficult opponent’
Diego Reyes added that Uruguay were expecting a tough test against the USMNT later today.
“We have to put in the best performance we can,” he said. “The U.S. are a very important opponent, they have players from the best leagues in the world and they have been doing well for a long time under the current coach.
“Like all teams, they have their ups and downs. They have carried the burden of playing big games. They have a balanced squad of players who have played together for a long time, which makes them an important and always difficult opponent.”