USMNT possible lineup against Uruguay in the 2024 Copa América match

The United States have the daunting task of having to beat the most in-form team in this edition of the Copa América just to stay alive in the tournament they are hosting. Gregg Berhalter’s team are second in Group C, level with Panama on three points heading into the final group game. Just two teams from the group will advance to the quarter finals - Uruguay will be one of them, regardless of what happens in their game against the USMNT in Kansas City on Monday.

The USMNT face tough task against Uruguay - the favorites to win Group C

La Celeste top the group on six points with the best figures out of all the competing teams at the tournament. With eight goals for and just one against, even a defeat to the USMNT would not budge them from their privileged position at the summit. Mathematically, it is possible - but realistically, it’s not. The Stars and Stripes would need to beat Uruguay by a margin of seven goals to topple them from first place and that is not going to happen.

And even more worryingly for Berhalter is what might happen in the group’s other game between Panama and Bolivia. Panama are third with the same amount of points as the USMNT but with an inferior goal difference. If the USMNT lose or draw against Uruguay and Panama beats Bolivia, the hosts will be out, eliminated in the first round.

If the USMNT lose or draw to Uruguay and the game between Panama and Bolivia ends level, the tea, with the best goal difference will go through. At the moment, that goal difference is marginal - the USMNT on+1 and Panama on -1; so if the States loses by a one-goal margin, and Panama wins by a one-goal margin, their goal difference will be equal. In such a scenario, the head-to-head record will come into play - which favors Panama, who beat the USMNT 2-1 in matchday 2.

Basically, the only way that the United States can continue in the tournament is by beating Uruguay and hoping that Panama doesn’t score more goals than them in the other game.

Weah suspended, Turner, “day-to-day”

As that wasn’t enough enough to contend with, Berhalter is also waiting for news on first-choice goalkeeper Matt Turner who faces a late fitness test. Turner was taken off at half-time in the Panama game as a precaution after being on the wrong end of a collision with César Blackman. The keeper completed part of Saturday’s training session and will be assessed on Monday. He is likely to be declared fit to play - if not Ethan Horvath will step in

One player who won’t be lining up against Uruguay is Tim Weah. The winger, who has notched one assist at 2024 Copa América, was sent off for violent conduct in the last game against Panama, which earned him a two-game ban. Brenden Aaronson will likely be the first option out wide, while Malik Tillman who is .

One player who is guaranteed to start is Folarin Balogun, who is level with Vinicius (Brazil) and Uruguayan pair: Darwin Núñez and Maximiliano Araújo as the tournament’s second top scorers, all on two goals. Argentina’s Lautaro Martínez tops the ranking with four. Balogun will lead the attack accompanied by Christian Pulisic.

USMNT predicted starting XI

Turner; Scally, Richards, Ream, A. Robinson; McKennie, Musah, Reyna; Aaronson, Balogun and Pulisic.

The 2024 Copa América Group C game between the United States and Uruguay will be played on Monday, 1 July 2024 at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, kicking off at 9 p.m. EDT/ 6 p.m. PDT.

The other Group C game between Bolivia and Panama will take place at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, and will kick off at the same time: 9 p.m. EDT/ 6 p.m. PDT.