Home Football The United States was eliminated from Copa América with a 1-0 loss to Darwin Nunez’s Uruguay

The United States was eliminated from Copa América with a 1-0 loss to Darwin Nunez’s Uruguay

Football — 07/02/2024

The U.S. men’s national team has been eliminated from Copa America 2024 after a 1-0 loss to Uruguay 1-0 on the final matchday of the group stage at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

ImageGregg Berhalter’s side was left with a mountain to climb prior to kickoff, as they faced one of the tournament favorites. And that task was made nearly impossible as Panama beat Bolivia 3-1 in the other Group C match.

ImageThe Sporting News takes a look at how the USMNT’s tournament unfolded. 

Copa America hosts the United States were bundled out of the tournament at the first hurdle on Monday after a 1-0 defeat by Group C winners Uruguay consigned them to third place and allowed Panama to advance as runners-up. ImageDefender Mathias Olivera scored to give Uruguay the win that sees them advance to the quarter-finals as group winners, with the South Americans winning three of their first-round matches for the first time since 1959.Panama’s 3-1 win over Bolivia saw them finish second on six points, three ahead of the United States. “The pitch was very hard to play on,” Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte said.”ImageBut hey, when we have to score, we score; when we have to play, we play. It’s a bit of adapting to the matches and the moments of each match. “The defeat has ramped up the pressure on U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter, with fans chanting: “Fire Gregg” in the second half and after the final whistle.Image“We know that we’re capable of more, and this tournament, we didn’t show it,” Berhalter told reporters. Image“It’s really as simple as that. I think that, you know, you look at the stage that was set with the fans in this tournament, with the high level of competition in this tournament, and we should have done better.” ImageNeeding a win to give themselves the best chance of progressing, the U.S. started well but Uruguay grew into the game as the first half wore on. ImageThe match was punctuated by a series of stoppages and physical altercations, with the referee struggling to maintain control at times and making some questionable decisions when it came to playing advantage. ImageUruguay lost Maximiliano Araujo in the 27th minute after a coming-together with U.S. defender Tim Ream. The forward had a neck brace fitted before being carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Cristian Olivera.