Copa America Shock: USA Out As Uruguay Marches Into Quarter-Finals
USA exited the Copa America after a 1-0 loss to Uruguay, who topped Group C and moved to the quarter-finals. The defeat at Arrowsmith Stadium, combined with Panama's 3-1 win over Bolivia, resulted in the Stars and Stripes being eliminated early from their own tournament. Mathias Olivera's goal in the 66th minute sealed the hosts' fate.
Uruguay maintained a perfect record as they advanced to face the Group D runners-up in Las Vegas on Saturday. Both teams suffered injuries during a disjointed first half in Kansas City. Maximiliano Araujo of Uruguay was stretchered off with suspected concussion after colliding with Tim Ream in the 27th minute. Folarin Balogun limped off for the USA four minutes before halftime.
Uruguay has a storied history in Copa America, winning it 15 times, most recently in 2011. They have only failed to progress beyond the group stages once in the last 25 years (2016). This year, they achieved a 100% record in a single group stage for the first time and started with three straight wins for the first time since 1959.
Marcelo Bielsa, serving a touchline ban, will return for the quarter-finals. Having led Argentina to the final in 2004, he aims to go further with La Celeste two decades later and win this trophy.
For the first time at an international tournament, USA failed to advance from the group stage after winning their opening match. They had progressed in all previous 23 instances. Despite losing to Panama previously, Berhalter made only one enforced change with Munus replacing suspended Timothy Weah.
This meant ten players started all three group games for only the fourth time (also occurring at the 1950 World Cup, 1994 World Cup, and 2016 Copa America). Previously unbeaten against Uruguay, they had won their final group match at each of their last six tournaments.
The closest either team came to scoring in the first half was when Nahitan Nandez's effort was cleared by Ream after a quick free-kick. Just after an hour mark, news from Orlando indicated Bolivia equalised against Panama, temporarily moving USA back up to second place in Group C.
However, joy was short-lived as Matt Turner parried Ronald Araujo's header straight to Olivera, who scored from close range. Panama soon regained their lead, leaving USA needing two goals to progress. Christian Pulisic and Haji Wright saw deflected efforts blocked on the line but couldn't find a way back into the game.
The USA's xG of 0.58 highlighted their lack of clinical finishing with just three shots on target throughout. Despite efforts from Kansas City fans to rally them, once they fell behind, there seemed no way back.
"The USMNT has failed to advance after winning its opening group stage match of a tournament for the first time after having previously advanced all 23 times it won its first group-stage match," noted OptaJack on Twitter.
1 - The USMNT has failed to advance after winning its opening group stage match of a tournament for the first time after having previously advanced all 23 times it won its first group-stage match.
Exit.
— OptaJack (@OptaJack) July 2, 2024
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