The USA’s journey in this Copa America was unexpected, to say the least.
It was presumed that the match against Uruguay, under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa, would be a duel for dominance in Group C, considering the modest threat posed by Panama and Bolivia, 43rd and 84th in global rankings respectively.
Yet, a shocking collapse resulted in a 2-1 defeat to Panama last Thursday, with the squad surrendering control following Timothy Weah’s early dismissal.
This upset has thrown their progression prospects into disarray, now possibly hinging on a victory over Uruguay’s formidable team.
This sequence of events echoes the troubling performance of England in the Euro 2024, where unfulfilled potential and a hesitant offense are common woes.
Uncertain quarter-final chances
Initially, projections favored the USA with a 64.5% likelihood of making it to the quarter-finals.
Post-defeat, their odds dipped to 51%, and their path now depends on overcoming Uruguay and requiring a favorable outcome between Bolivia and Panama.
Despite the possibility of leading the group, a third-place finish now seems more probable, a stark letdown for a team eyeing this event as a prelude to the World Cup in 2026.
Repeating England’s mistakes
The United States performed admirably against Bolivia, with their statistics clearly superior. However, Thursday’s match saw Weah’s ejection, which spiraled into a dire situation, although the USA briefly led following a spectacular strike by Folarin Balogun.
Their advantage was quickly nullified by Cesar Blackman, mirroring England’s dilemma at Euro 2024 where an early lead slipped through their fingers.
As expected, Panama capitalized on the numerical advantage, unexpectedly dominating possession. This left the USA with a scant few successful passes into the penal area post the 19th minute and the lowest passing accuracy yet in the tournament.
A contrasting scene from their dynamic display at the 2022 World Cup, the team struggled under pressure, echoed in their coach’s ineffective tactical adjustments.
By the closing minutes, substitution decisions came too late, sealing their fate with Jose Fajardo’s decisive score.
Misfired opportunities and squandered talent
Despite their setbacks, the USA still had opportunities. Ricardo Pepi, a hopeful yet highlight during their brief comeback attempts, faced criticism for his inefficiency despite a leading cumulative expected goals (xG) figure.
Balogun’s scoring prowess provided brief moments of brilliance, his goals standing out amid general misutilization of his talents.
Luring Balogun from England was a strategic win for the USA, yet they’ve struggled to leverage his abilities effectively, often leaving him isolated upfront.
Berhalter’s next game against Uruguay requires more than just space for Balogun; it demands strategic depth and better execution if they are to avoid a similar fate to England, who, despite their own challenges, remain in contention due to a lenient group-stage structure unlike the cutthroat competition awaiting the USA.
