COPA AMÉRICA
What does the USMNT need to qualify for the quarterfinals in Copa América 2024 against Panama?
The United States got off to a winning start against Bolivia and want to avoid needing to get a result against Uruguay on matchday three.
Matchday two of Group C in the Copa América 2024 will take place on Thursday 27 June, with the USMNT looking to build on an opening victory against Bolivia, which has already put Gregg Berhalter’s team in with a good chance of qualifying for the quarterfinals.
The United States will now take on Panama, a familiar opponent after two relatively recent meetings between the teams in the CONCACAF Nations League.
Berhalter will be keen for his men to seal their place in the last eight as soon as possible, to avoid having to get a result in matchday three against Uruguay, the toughest game in the group on paper.
Will the USMNT qualify for the quarterfinals with a win against Panama?
A second successive win against Panama will move the USMNT onto six points from two games, which could well be enough for them to ensure a top-two finish...although it’s not guaranteed.
If both the Stars and Stripes and Uruguay win against Panama and Bolivia respectively on Thursday, they will be confirmed in the quarterfinals and their meeting on matchday three will determine which team progresses as group winner.
The USMNT will also qualify if they win and Uruguay - Bolivia ends in a draw.
The only way they won’t be certain of featuring in the quarterfinals with a victory is if the Bolivians spring a surprise in Thursday’s other game. In that scenario, Berhalter’s boys could still be overtaken by Bolivia on goal difference (the first tie-breaker) on matchday three if the US loses to Uruguay, who would also go through.
A draw not enough to secure last-eight spot
A draw against Panama will not be enough to mathematically secure qualification, regardless of what happens in the match between Uruguay and Bolivia.
The Panamanians, and the Bolivians if they avoid defeat on matchday two, would still be able to move past the USMNT, although they would both need a big goal difference swing.
The winners of Group C will take on the runners-up of Group D in the quarterfinals, and vice versa. That means the US could face either Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay or Costa Rica in the next round.