The U.S. men’s national team’s journey in the 2024 Copa América came to an end with a hard-fought but goalless loss to Uruguay at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday. The USA has been eliminated in the group stage for the first time in 20 tournaments held at home. They have become the first hosts in Copa América history to fail to advance out of their group.
Panama advances out of the group for the first time at a major tournament. Panama defeated Bolivia 3-1. They advance to the quarter-finals after finishing second in Group C with 6 points, behind Uruguay.
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Match Summary
Facing Uruguay, known as Group C’s formidable opponent, the USA battled fiercely for 90 minutes but struggled to find the back of the net. Uruguay capitalized on a controversial second-half goal by Mathías Olivera, confirmed by video review despite appearing offside, to secure a 1-0 victory.
Elimination Confirmed
Simultaneously, Panama secured a 3-1 victory over Bolivia, leaving the USA in third place and effectively ending their Copa América campaign. The final whistle marked a poignant moment as USA players reacted with visible disappointment and frustration.
Post-Match Reactions
Christian Pulisic expressed the team’s efforts but acknowledged the inability to convert chances: “We brought a lot of energy, but at the end of the day, just not enough quality.”
Group Stage Struggles
The defeat follows an earlier loss to Panama, which placed the USA in a precarious position within Group C. Despite matching Uruguay’s intensity in the opening stages, the team’s inability to score proved decisive.
Future Uncertainty
With the Copa América exit, speculation now focuses on the future of head coach Gregg Berhalter and the team’s next steps. Calls for changes in leadership intensify as fans and pundits evaluate the team’s performance and expectations moving forward.
Looking Ahead
Attention shifts to U.S. Soccer’s response and potential coaching decisions as the team regroups after an unexpected early departure from the tournament.
