USA Eliminated from Copa America 2024 After 1-0 Loss to Uruguay
The USMNT exited the Copa America following a 1-0 defeat against Uruguay at Arrowsmith Stadium. This result, coupled with Panama’s 3-1 win over Bolivia, saw the tournament hosts crash out at the group stage of Copa America 2024.
The match was marked by a lack of creativity from both teams, but Mathias Olivera’s decisive strike in the 66th minute secured Uruguay’s top spot in Group C and a quarter-final berth against the Group D runner-up in Las Vegas on Saturday.
The 1st half at Kansas City was disrupted by injuries, with Uruguay’s Maximiliano Araujo being stretchered off due to a suspected concussion following a clash with Tim Ream in the 27th minute. Four minutes before halftime, the USA’s Folarin Balogun also limped off the field.
The best chance of the first half came at the 33rd minute when a quick free-kick by Uruguay set up Nahitan Nandez, whose shot was cleared by Ream.
At the hour mark, news from Orlando briefly lifted the USA’s spirits as Bolivia equalized against Panama, temporarily pushing Gregg Berhalter’s side back into 2nd place. However, the joy was short-lived. Shortly after, a Uruguay free-kick resulted in Matt Turner saving Ronald Araujo’s header, only for Olivera to capitalize on the rebound, staying just onside to score.
Panama regained their lead soon after to leave the Stars and Stripes needing two goals to stand any chance of progressing.
Christian Pulisic and Haji Wright both saw deflected efforts blocked on the line, but that was as close as Copa America hosts came to finding a route back into the contest, as their stubborn opponents held out to inflict the defeat that ended hopes of home glory.
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