Copa America 2024: Mexico fans at State Farm Stadium
Mexico’s fans outnumbered those of Ecuador, but not by as much as one might have imagined on Sunday at the Copa America match at State Farm Stadium.
Three days after its 2-1 late-strike loss to Panama in Atlanta, its second match in the Copa America tournament, the U.S. men’s national soccer team is banking on a solid performance against Uruguay at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night.
Uruguay, which is 2-0-0 through two tournament games, has been Group C’s best team thus far and one of the best goal-scoring teams in the tournament. The U.S. could be on the verge of elimination without a substantial win. A draw is out of the question to advance.
Here is everything you need to know about the USMNT clash with South American powerhouse Uruguay in the Copa America group stage finale on Monday night.
What is Copa America?
The Copa America tournament, formerly known as the South American Championship, organized by South America’s football ruling body, CONMEBOL, and takes place every few years. It has never had a consistent schedule. Still, it is the oldest active continental football competition in the world and the third most-watched tournament. Typically consisting of teams within the South American region, but Mexico, Canada and the U.S. also are competing this year.
In Copa America’s 108-year history, Uruguay and Argentina have been the best clubs historically. Boasting 15 titles, respectfully, these clubs have historically been the teams to beat.
Copa America 2024: When does USA play?
Group C’s U.S. men’s team and Uruguay will face off on Monday, July 1, at 6 p.m.
Copa America 2024: How can I watch USA vs. Uruguay?
Fans can watch the game at home or with friends on FS1, TUDN, or Univision.
Copa America 2024: USA, Uruguay, players to watch:
U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner will be a player to watch. This week, he was “limited in training,” and it is still up in the air whether he will be able to suit up and be effective against Uruguay. If he can’t go, U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter may have to go with goalkeeper Ethan Horvath, who struggled late against Panama. Folarin Balogun, 22, has been the USMNT offensive engine, scoring goals in back-to-back matches against Panama and Bolivia.
Uruguay forwards Maximiliano Araújo and Darwin Núñez pioneer the team’s attack. Araújo and Núñez are in a six-way tie for second place in goals with two apiece. Midfielder Nicolás de la Cruz is the ring leader orchestrating the squad’s offense. De La Cruz is currently in second place in the tournament with two assists. The U.S. team’s defense must always know his whereabouts on the field Monday night.
Where does the US team stand in the Copa America 2024?
In a bracket that includes Bolivia, Uruguay, and Panama, the U.S. is in a must-win situation when entering Monday’s match to avoid elimination and have a better result than Panama gets against Bolivia, also Monday at 6 p.m., on FS2. The U.S. beat Bolivia 2-0 in its first match. That’s the only sequence of events that would guarantee the USMNT advancing. If Panama scores multiple goals against Bolivia, the U.S. may be forced to do the same to avoid losing the point differential.