By Alonso Contreras
Uruguay left on the substitutes’ bench its most dangerous striker Edison Cavani and midfielder Federico Valverde, champion of the UEFA Champions League 2022 with Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, the United States came out with a solid starting lineup.
The “Charruas” went out from the first minute to put pressure on the United States defense.
The first dangerous play was from the Uruguayans in the 4th minute with a cross to the far post where the “charrua” player almost opened the scoreboard.
Three minutes later, Uruguay again attacked the left side of the home team where Varela sent a cross to the far post where the U.S. goalkeeper Sean Johnson could do little and just watched the ball going outbound.
Uruguay again wasted many clear opportunities to open the score. This time Yedlin clears from the line
Muslera makes a risky play against the pressure of Jesus Ferreira, he comes out playing with Godin where they show the experience and calmness that is played from the back.
Ferreira at 19 minutes takes a strong shot inside the box where Muslera responds well with his hands. When the U.S. started to play at ground level it created more problems for the Uruguayans and a minute later the U.S. came very close to scoring the first of the afternoon.
Also, the U.S. wingbacks started to go up and accompany the attacking plays, that was when the most dangerous opportunities were created.
A great shot by the Uruguayan player and better response by goalkeeper Sean in the 22nd minute.
In the 32nd minute, Coates (Uruguay) came in for his teammate Gimenez who suffered a hard hit and coach Diego Alonso chose to make the subbed.
Uruguay continued to pressure the United States, finding their weak point, but Walker Zimmerman and Sean Johnson were able to contain the Uruguayan pressure, sending the ball to the corner kick or ending on clearances.
The first half ended 0-0 but both teams missed many chances to score. Uruguay was superior in this first half.
The second half started with 4 changes, three for the United States and one for Uruguay.
USA
-Paul Arriola subbed in for Weston McKennie
-Palmer-Brown subbed in for Aaron Long
-Brenden Aaronson subbed in for Timothy Weah.
Uruguay
-Mathias Oliveira in for Diego Godin
Pulisic created a chance with an individual play, but the shot went wide.
Great opportunity for Uruguay again to open the score after a ball lost by Pulisic, where Nunez crossed to his teammate who came running near the penalty spot where he decided to place the ball and ended up sending it into the stands.
In the 60th minute, UEFA Champions League champion Federico Valverde subbed in for Manuel Ugarte.
-Vecino subbed in for Mauro Arambarri
-Edison Cavani subbed in for Maximo Gomez.
All the Uruguayan fans stood up when Cavani stepped onto the field.
Great collective play by the Uruguayan national team where the goalkeeper Sean Johnson did his best under the three posts to save the shot of the Uruguayan player who was very close to him.
For the United States, Jesus Ferrerira subbed out and Wright subbed in.
What the Uruguayan national team just missed, Nunez gives a pass to Cavani who defines uncomfortably and the ball goes out near the post. It could have been the winning goal for the “charruas”.
This match was a good test for the US team that faced a team that played a strong game and took advantage of crosses.
According to U.S. Soccer Communications: Christian Pulisic will make his 50th appearance for the USMNT today against Uruguay. Pulisic (23.71) is the seventh youngest player to hit the half-century mark, with a majority of players that got there before him either having played for the National Team full time during the early 1990s or played in Major League Soccer to start their careers.
Despite the many Uruguayan fans, there was a huge amount of U.S. flags flaming throughout the game, and almost all of the fans wore U.S. national team jerseys or colors. 19,569 fans on today’s match at Children’s Mercy Park, extending 25 straight games unbeaten at home.