A close-range finish from Mathias Olivera secured all three points for Uruguay in a feisty encounter with the USMNT at Arrowhead Stadium in Copa America Group C action.
As many will already know, the USMNT and Uruguay weren’t the only Group C sides playing on Monday night as Bolivia and Panama also kicked off at the same time at Inter&Co Stadium. While Uruguay had all but confirmed their place in the quarter-finals of the tournament, the US needed to win to secure their place in the last eight — or hope for Panama to drop points if they were to draw vs La Celeste.
Uruguay — who were without head coach Marcelo Bielsa after the team came out of the dressing room late in their first two matches — had the better chances in the first 45 but the USMNT backline held strong. Both sides had players leave the field in the first half due to injury before the controversial referee Kevin Ortega blew his whistle at the end of a 0-0 half.
Over in Orlando, Florida, Panama had taken a 1-0 lead over Bolivia thanks to Jose Fajardo’s 22nd minute volleyed effort. That meant that as things stood, Panama would be joining Uruguay in the Copa America quarter-finals and not the Stars and Stripes.
About midway through the second half, Bolivia found an equalizer through Bruno Miranda. Now, the USMNT moved back into second place while Panama slipped into third. Moment, later disaster struck for the US as Uruguay the opener just before the 70th minute mark. Mathias Olivera found the back of the net from close range to to send alarm bells ringing in the USA camp.
To make things worse, Panama regained the lead back at Inter&Co Stadium meaning once more the Stars and Stripes fell back to third place in Group C. Thomas Christiansen’s side added to their lead in stoppage time to make it 3-1 and punch their ticket to the last eight.
As Uruguay and Panama advanced out of Group C, the USMNT and Bolivia were the odd ones out who were sent home. Uruguay managed the game well and will be happy to come away from the group stage with all nine points as they await their opponent which will be whoever finishes in second place in Group D: Brazil or Colombia, while Panama will face the winners of the same group.
As for Berhalter and the USA, there will more than likely be large consequences for the hosts crashing out of the tournament at the group stage. The USMNT will have to take a long, hard look in the mirror after a dismal campaign on home soil that just might result in Berhalter losing his…
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