How can USMNT qualify for the Copa América quarter-finals?

Going into Thursday’s game against Panama, the United States were hoping to ease their way into the Copa América quarter-finals with a comfortable victory. Now, they might need to overcome one of the world’s top international teams if they are to avoid being eliminated in the group stages of this home tournament.

USMNT took the lead on Thursday but an early red card for Tim Weah left them with an uphill battle against a dogged Panama team. The Panamanians quickly levelled and found a winner in the final minutes when José Fajardo fired home from close range. That result leaves the US and Panama level on points with one game each still to play, but that’s where the similarities end.

Panama take on unfancied Bolivia in their final group stage game. Meanwhile the United States will play in-form Uruguay. Here’s what the US need in their final group stage fixture.

What do the United States need to progress?

The top two teams from each group of four will qualify to the quarter-final stage of the Copa América. At time of writing Uruguay have not yet played against Bolivia but all indications suggest that Marcelo Bielsa’s side will make light work of the Bolivians.

This would leave Uruguay top of the group with six points, while USMNT and Panama are level on three points apiece. Assuming that Bolivia cannot pull off a miraculous shock against Uruguay, it will be between the US and Panama for that second qualification spot. Ahead of the third round of fixtures the United States boasts a slightly better goal difference that Panama.

The US need to match Panama’s result in the final group stage games to secure a spot in the quarter-final. If Panama beat Bolivia, which they look likely to do, USMNT will need to beat Uruguay at Arrowhead Stadium next week. With head coach Gregg Berhalter under huge pressure, the stakes could hardly be higher for him and his team.