The United States Men’s National Team will complete Group C play at Copa America tomorrow when they take on Uruguay. The USMNT won their opening match against Bolivia 2-0, but a disastrous 2-1 loss to Panama leaves the team likely needing a victory to advance to the knockout stage.
The USMNT will be without Tim Weah, who picked up a red card early into the loss against Panama, and it’s a race against time to see if Matt Turner will be good to go, as he subbed off early due to injury in the same match. They go up against a Uruguay team that is hot, sitting in first place in Group C with 6 points and a +7 goal differential. The USMNT need to win and hope that Panama doesn’t beat Bolivia enough where the goal differential catches up. A loss or draw, and the USMNT could likely be out of the tournament in the group stage.
Latest Form
USA
L (1-2) – Panama – Copa America Group C
W (2-0) – Bolivia – Copa America Group C
D (1-1) – Brazil – Friendly
L (1-5) – Colombia – Friendly
W (2-0) – Mexico – Concacaf Nations League Final
Uruguay
W (5-0) – Bolivia – Copa America Group C
W (3-1) – Panama – Copa America Group C
W (4-0) – Mexico – Friendly
L (1-2) – Ivory Coast – Friendly
D (1-1) – Basque Country – Non-FIFA Friendly
What To Watch For
Make smart decisions. We can’t lose anyone else, and Uruguay will punish you for bad decisions. Play smart and focused on the task at hand.
Go for goal. The USMNT not only need to win, they need to score a few goals to alleviate the pressure Panama will likely put on them in their match. Put the ball on the feet of the playmakers and let them go.
Keep an eye on Uruguay’s strikers. Darwin Núñez and Luis Suárez are dangerous, and the back line needs to keep an eye on them. They can get into space quickly, so the midfield will be charged to track back and help as well to make sure they don’t put any in the net.
Lineup Prediction
With Weah out, there will likely be a couple of changes to the lineup and where guys end up playing:
Matt Turner will get the start despite the injury, and the back line of Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, and Joe Scally will remain the same. In the middle, Tyler Adams once again starts and Wes McKennie will once again operate at the 8. Yunus Musah will get the start as well in the midfield.
Up front, Gio Reyna moves up to take Tim Weah’s place on the right wing. Folarin Balogun starts at the 9, and Christian Pulisic once again will be the left wing.
Prediction
Manifesting a win here because we need it. USMNT 3-2, and they barely advance on goal differential to the next round.
