USA dumped out of Copa America after Uruguay defeat - Capital Sports
Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Copa America
Copa America
Action between the USA and Uruguay in the Copa America. PHOTO/USMNT/X

Football

USA dumped out of Copa America after Uruguay defeat

KANSAS, United States, Jul 2 – United States head coach Gregg Berhalter has insisted he is the right person to lead the team to the 2026 World Cup despite his side being knocked out of the Copa America at the group stage.

The US, who are tournament hosts, were beaten 1-0 by Uruguay as they finished third in Group C with only the top two advancing.

Uruguay claimed top spot to secure their quarter-final place, while Panama beat Bolivia 3-1 to progress to the last eight as Group C runners-up.

“We’re bitterly disappointed in the results,” said Berhalter, whose side beat Bolivia in their opening match before suffering defeats by Panama and Uruguay.

“We know that we’re capable of more and at this tournament we didn’t show it. It’s as simple as that.”

Asked if he thought he was the right person to lead the team up to the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, Berhalter said: “Yes.”

Uruguay won each of their three group games, with Mathias Olivera scoring the decisive goal against the US in Kansas City.

Keep moving forward

“You have to keep moving forward,” said Berhalter, who was re-appointed US men’s team coach in June 2023 after an internal investigation into his conduct in the wake of allegations made during the 2022 World Cup.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“It’s not where you say OK, this program is doomed. That’s not the case at all. It was a poor performance, we didn’t get the results that we expected and we need to get better.”

However, US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has said the performance of the national team at Copa America “fell short of our expectations” and they “must do better”.

“We will be conducting a comprehensive review of our performance in Copa America and how best to improve the team and results as we look towards the 2026 World Cup,” he added in a US Soccer statement.

Uruguay will play the second placed team in Group D in their quarter-final, while Panama are to play the winners of that group.

Colombia lead Group D on six points, with Brazil second on four points. They play each other in their final group match at 02:00 BST on Wednesday.

Panama make history at Copa America

Panama, who are playing in only their second Copa America, reached the knockout stage for the first time with their victory over Bolivia.

Jose Fajardo put Panama in front and after Bruno Miranda equalised, substitutes Eduardo Guerrero and Cesar Yanis scored to seal their win.

“Football is daily suffering, but today there was a lot at stake,” said Panama boss Thomas Christiansen.

“We knew that not even a win guaranteed that we would make it to the quarter-finals after the first goal.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“Our performance dropped at times, they [Bolivia] began to control the game and they scored. We started to get a bit more anxious.

“But we reacted quickly. Our players were able to overcome those odds and the substitutions made a huge difference.”

Advertisement

More on Capital Sports

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 27 – DStv and GOtv subscribers are in for a treat of the world’s best football this week as the 2020-21...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – There is light at the end of the tunnel. After failed promises over the last three years since its...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 6 – Gentrix Shikangwa scored with two minutes left as Vihiga Queens sailed to the final of the CECAFA regional qualifiers...

NFL

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 13 – Kenya’s history making Daniel Adongo, the first Kenyan to play in America’s National Football League (NFL), is now living...

© 2025 Capital Digital Media. Capital Group Limited. All Rights Reserved