The United States, who were hosting the Copa America, were eliminated from the tournament in Kansas City, Missouri. They suffered a 1-0 loss to Group C leaders Uruguay, which pushed them to third place and enabled Panama to progress as the second-place team.
Uruguay’s advancement to the quarter-finals as group winners was secured by Defender Mathias Olivera’s goal. This marks the first time since 1959 that the South American team has won three of their first-round matches.
Panama secured a 3-1 victory against Bolivia, resulting in their placement in second position with a total of six points, which was three more than the United States’ final score.
According to Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte, the playing surface was extremely difficult to navigate.
However, when it is necessary for us to score, we do so, and when it is time to play, we do just that. It is a matter of adjusting to the different matches and their individual moments.
The loss has increased the stress on U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter, as supporters were heard shouting “Sack Gregg” during the second half and at the end of the game.
According to Berhalter’s statement to the press, we are aware that we have the potential to achieve better results, but unfortunately, we failed to demonstrate it in this competition.
“It’s just that straightforward. In my opinion, when we consider the stage that was prepared for the fans in this championship and the intense level of competition, we could have performed better.”
In order to increase their chances of advancing, the U.S. team had to secure a victory. They had a strong start, but Uruguay gradually gained momentum throughout the first half.
The game was marked by several pauses and instances of physical confrontations, causing the referee to struggle in maintaining order and making debatable calls when it came to granting an advantage.
In the 27th minute, Uruguay’s Maximiliano Araujo was forced to leave the game after a collision with U.S. defender Tim Ream. Araujo had to wear a neck brace and was taken off the field on a stretcher. He was then substituted by Cristian Olivera.
American forward Folarin Balogun was forced to be replaced after seemingly sustaining an injury in a brutal collision with Uruguay’s goalkeeper Sergio Rochet.
In spite of the initial aggressive approach from the hosts, Uruguay had better opportunities in the first half. They came close to scoring in the 38th minute when Olivera delivered a threatening cross into the box, but Darwin Nunez’s shot missed the target.
The loudest applause of the evening from the audience at Arrowhead Stadium occurred during the second half as Bolivia managed to score an equalizer against Panama in the alternate Group C game, temporarily pushing the U.S. up to the second spot. However, their excitement was short-lived.
In the 66th minute, Uruguay gained the advantage when Olivera scored from a rebound after U.S. goalkeeper Matthew Turner could only deflect Ronald Araujo’s header back into the penalty area. The goal was awarded after a long VAR check for an offside position.
In the 75th minute, there was a chance for the U.S. to level the score when Rochet fumbled the ball and was left far from the goal. However, Ugarte’s clearance on the goal-line prevented Christian Pulisic’s shot from being deflected and kept it out.
The United States persisted in their efforts until the very end, but Uruguay’s defensive line proved to be a formidable opponent and managed to secure their first victory against the United States since the 1993 Copa America tournament.
