The U.S. men’s national team entered Monday’s Copa America group stage finale vs. Uruguay needing a positive result to stay in the competition, but luck wasn’t on their side at Arrowhead Stadium.
Uruguay eliminated the USMNT after earning a 1-0 victory in Kansas City, Missouri, going undefeated in Group C play. Mathias Olivera’s controversial finish in the 66th minute was all the Uruguayans needed to oust the Americans from the tournament, adding further pressure on USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter.
Panama’s 3-1 victory over Bolivia also sealed the USMNT’s exit from the group stage.
Despite putting ample first-half pressure on Uruguay, the USMNT rarely troubled goalkeeper Sergio Rochet.
Uruguay came close to breaking the deadlock in the 32nd minute but Tim Ream raced back to deny Facundo Pellestri from finding the back of the net.
Ricardo Pepi replaced Folarin Balogun in the 41st minute after Balogun came off with an apparent injury. The American forward scored in each of his first two Copa America appearances, but was unable to add to his tally.
Olivera propelled Uruguay in front in the 66th minute, finishing off a rebound following a set piece. Matt Turner punched away the original header from Ronald Araujo, but Olivera was in the right spot to pounce on the rebound.
VAR took a look at a potential offsides on Olivera, but the goal was given, bringing frustration to USMNT fans.
Christian Pulisic came close to tying the match up in the 74th minute, but had his deflected shot cleared off the line by the Uruguayan backline.
Uruguay would hang on for its third-straight group stage win while the USMNT endured a forgettable ending to their Copa America involvement.
The Americans will have two months off before their pair of September friendlies vs. Canada and New Zealand.
