Pre-match: USA vs Uruguay Copa America group stage 7/1 2100 EST

Pretty easy to define what needs to happen here for the US. Barring a significantly unexpected result in the Bolivia-Uruguay match tonight, the US will have to win this match and perhaps by multiple goals.

Do or die for the US team and Gregg Berhalter.

 

I don't know who should replace Weah. That's a blow. My instinct is Sargent, not Aaronson or Wright.

 

We're going to need work and aggressive running (which does play into El Loco's hand, but we've been dealt a bad hand now and have to play it), and Josh has had such a good season. Let him run for 60+ minutes and try to force something. He's earned that right.

 

Prediction: 3-0 Uruguay

 

This is it. Back against the wall. Time to see what this team has. Solid win and you are probably fine. Lose and probably go home.

Frankly, if you get over the emotion of it, this is a great test.

 

Pretty easy to predict what will happen too. Hint; it won't be a US win by multiple goals.

 

I’d start Wright on the left and Pulisic on the right. And Miles Robinson instead of Richards.

 

If nothing else it’s going to replicate what we would see in a round of 16 game in a World Cup. And if they lose the coach they clearly really do believe in is out.

Thankfully if we do advance we have an 8 day break till the quarterfinals. But I believe McKennie, Jedi, and Richards are on a yellow and would miss the quarters if they get another.

 

The team does not have the ability to do it. That really is on the coach. He has been around for far too long, after an anemic WC run. I believe US Soccer hates the men's team. They must, to set them up for failure like this.

 

I "think" we not only need to win but we need to make up a bit on goal differential. it is probable that Panama will run the score on Bolivia they may get as many as 4 or 5 and they are only one goal behind the USA at this time. As long as Uruguay does not pull a USA tonight they will be practically uncatchable unless we win by multiple goals.

 

USA GD: +1, Goals scored: 3
Panama GD: -1, Goals scored: 3

If we beat Uruguay by one goal (miracle), our GD will be +2. If Panama drills Bolivia 2-0, then their GD will be +1.
There is still a path for us to advance.

 

Well i have a PHD in math but that does not mean I can do arithmetic. But even if we look at it optimistically I think Panama beats Bolivia by at least 3 and most probably 4. So we need to win by at least 2 and probably 3 to even have a chance and be in control of our own fate.
It is already 9 minutes in and it is 1-0 for Uruguay. So it looks like we will not get any help from that match.

 

you know it’s going to be wright.

 

yeah, that helps, but Bolivia is a pretty bad team.

 

Balo
Puli Gio BA
Musah JC/WM
— — MR —

If we’re going to win we need guys who play at the highest level, guys who not only can play at this level physically but mentally as well. They gotta know ball. Guys who can play in tight spaces and understand how high level opponents play.

Sargent and Wright haven’t been tested at the highest levels on the wings, this is not the time to test that theory. IMO they are not international level wingers. Sarge for Balo if we get the lead.

 

Agreed. I think most people were expecting a wholly unsatisfying outcome to this tournament (beat Bolivia and Panama, lose or draw against a disinterested Uruguay, and bow out in the QF against Colombia or Brazil) that would leave us with no clearer understanding of whether or not this team was headed in the right direction because it would be so easy to hit par, and so very understandable if we didn't do better than that.

Now, we either pick up our biggest win in a very long time, or we flame out disastrously. Either way, things will probably be a lot clearer by the end of this tournament. (There is a third, somewhat unlikely possibility, where we lose or draw but Panama lays an egg against Bolivia, and we still advance. I suppose that might be a similarly unsatisfying outcome.)

 

This season Pepi played less than Pulisic did, in his final season at Chelsea. When he was playing regularly for Groningen, he was scoring for both club and country.

 

I think that's what Berhalter will do. I'd rather keep the Pulisic/Jedi partnership intact and give Sargent the chance to make an impact after playing a really good season and having to wait this long for his big chance. But I agree with Miles. In fact, I feel like we should've rolled with Miles over Richards in the first XI today. Richards has been in a run of very iffy form.

 

The loss of Weah is addition by subtraction. In a 433, Aaronson or Pulisic could replace him. Wright or Tillman could start on the left. GGG has plenty of options.