The U.S. males’s nationwide workforce face a make-or-break match towards Uruguay on Monday to maintain their Copa America hopes alive. The event hosts are coming off a shock 2-1 loss to Panama on Thursday after struggling an early crimson card, placing them in a tricky place to qualify for the quarterfinals. The simplest state of affairs for them to advance out of the group is to beat Uruguay, however that might be no straightforward feat — the 15-time Copa America champions have been top-of-the-line groups on the competitors to this point, outscoring their opponents 8-1 of their first two group stage matches. Although Uruguay are in pole place to advance, they nonetheless haven’t clinched a spot within the final eight and could also be aiming for one more commanding efficiency in Kansas Metropolis on Monday.
This is what that you must know earlier than tuning in.
Easy methods to watch and odds
- Date: Monday, July 1 | Time: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: Arrowhead Stadium — Kansas Metropolis, Mo.
- TV: FS1 | Reside stream: Fubo (Strive totally free)
- Odds: United States +145; Draw +220; Uruguay +195
Group C outlook
Uruguay are atop the group with six factors and want solely a draw to ebook their spot within the subsequent spherical, however will seemingly survive even when they lose due to their +7 purpose differential. The USMNT and Panama are tied with three factors every however the tiebreak forex favors the U.S., whose +1 purpose differential provides them a slim edge over Panama’s -1 tally. Bolivia have zero factors and technically nonetheless have a shot to advance with a win, however might want to make up plenty of floor due to their -7 purpose differential.
Storylines
United States: Coming into the Copa America, the naked minimal expectation was to advance out of the group stage however after Thursday’s loss, there’s an actual chance they fall wanting that purpose. The two-1 defeat to Panama revealed loads of the workforce’s shortcomings, firstly with Timothy Weah’s 18th-minute crimson card demonstrating that the USMNT iare surprisingly unable to deal with enjoying towards bodily opponents regardless of the familiarity of a regional opponent. Head coach Gregg Berhalter’s determination to go defensive by his halftime substitutions, although, value his workforce in a handful of how. First, he launched Cameron Carter-Vickers however the heart again appeared frazzled all through, however the sport plan additionally deprived the U.S.’ two most enjoyable gamers at this event — attackers Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun, who’re accountable for all three of their objectives to this point on the Copa America.
Berhalter might be with out Weah by suspension, which might damage a U.S. workforce that is in want of objectives. Weah would additionally miss a possible quarterfinal on account of suspension.
Above all, although, Berhalter and firm are going to must muster up one thing they’ve not often ever executed — a win towards a top-20 workforce. The top coach has simply 5 wins towards opponents ranked that top, however 4 are towards Mexico and one is towards Iran. This model of the USMNT has no assertion wins to talk of however will seemingly must ship simply that so as to advance on Monday.
Uruguay: Some would possibly argue that Uruguay are probably the most thrilling workforce on the Copa America to this point, losing little time making their case because the darkish horse to win the competitors. They’ve succeeded exactly the place the U.S. haven’t in Group C, matching their pre-game favorability and their in-game dominance with lopsided scorelines that present sturdy indicators of a resurgence. Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez already has two objectives in two video games however Uruguay are spreading the goalscoring duties whereas sustaining composure within the again, indicating sturdy indicators of a deep run. They’re rightfully the favorites towards the U.S. on Monday, with checks later within the event anticipated to disclose simply how good this workforce really is.
The place is Marcelo Bielsa?
Whereas the USMNT might be with out Weah, Uruguay carry a suspension of their very own into the sport, albeit an unconventional one. Effectively-respected head coach Marcelo Bielsa, who’s efficiently main a refresh of a traditionally gifted workforce, will miss out to serve a one-game suspension as a result of the workforce returned late to the pitch within the second half of their 5-0 win over Bolivia on Thursday.
The identical suspension was handed to Argentina counterpart Lionel Scaloni earlier this event, in addition to Chile head coach Ricardo Gareca and Venezuela’s Fernando Batista.
Group C situations for USA soccer
- With a United States victory: They are going to qualify for the knockout levels so long as Panama draw or lose. If Panama win, the US can nonetheless qualify for the knockouts however they might want to have a greater purpose distinction than Panama. Because it stands, the U.S. have a two-goal benefit.
- With a United States tie: The USA will solely advance with a Panama draw or loss.
- With a United States loss: The USA will solely advance with a Panama loss and if they’ve a greater purpose distinction than Panama. If the U.S. lose 4-0, and Panama lose 1-0, Panama advance.
Copa America tiebreakers
If two groups are stage on factors following the group stage, it is all the time vital to check out the tiebreakers as there could be slight variations in every event for when sure guidelines are utilized for development. Under is how Copa America applies tiebreakers:
- The workforce with the higher purpose distinction in all group-stage matches
- The workforce with the larger variety of objectives scored in all group-stage matches
- Head-to-head between the 2 groups who’re tied
- Fewer crimson playing cards
- Fewer yellow playing cards
- Drawing of heaps
Prediction
It’s laborious to examine the USMNT doing one thing it has by no means executed within the 5 years Berhalter’s been in cost — punch above their weight and win a sport they had been the underdogs in, particularly with their backs towards the wall. Will probably be further difficult with out Weah and with Uruguay of their present type, anticipate the guests to choose up one other win and ship the hosts packing. Choose: USMNT 1, Uruguay 2