Do or Die for USA
USA vs Uruguay Betting Odds: In-Form Uruguay Favored to Win
Berhalter’s Job on the Line
With Thursday’s 2-1 loss to Panama, the USA likely need a win over Uruguay on Monday to advance to the Copa America Quarter-Finals. The problem for the USA is that Uruguay have been the best team at the tournament so far, with two wins and seven goals. This is a high-stakes match on multiple levels, as Gregg Berhalter will likely lose his job if his USA don’t win.
So, in a match between the USA and strong contenders for the title, we’ll take a closer look at the USA vs Uruguay betting odds.
USA vs Uruguay
Date & Time: Monday, July 1st, 9:00 p.m. ET
Location: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Head-to-Head
This is only the second chance for bettors to take the USA vs Uruguay betting odds in the Copa America. These teams last met in the competition in 1993 as Uruguay won 1-0. Since then, the USMNT are unbeaten in the last four meetings. USA and Uruguay drew 0-0 in a 2022 friendly and drew 1-1 in a 2019 friendly, the only two fixtures in the last decade. All-time, Uruguay are 3-2-2 against the USA.
USA Caught Between Rock and a Hard Place
The USA’s 2-1 loss to Panama on Thursday was a highly disappointing result, as the USMNT entered the match as -250 favorites. Tim Weah’s 18th-minute red card doomed the USA to defending with a man down for over 70 minutes. While Folarin Balogun did open up the scoring for the USA in the 22nd minute, with an excellent left-footed striker that hit the post and went in, Panama equalized soon after.
Plus, USA goalkeeper Matt Turner had to leave the match at halftime after a scary-looking collision. Ethan Horvath replaced Turner and pundits questioned whether he could have done better on Panama’s second-half winner. With the 2-1 loss, the USMNT standings show they’re in second place. The USA are 1-1 with a +1 goal difference heading into their final group stage game.
Meanwhile, Panama are 1-1 with a -1 goal difference and the first tie breaker is goal difference. In USA’s opener, against Bolivia, Balogun and Christian Pulisic scored to give the USMNT a 2-0 win. With Weah suspended and Turner possibly out, it’s going to take a huge effort to go through to the knockout stage and save Gregg Berhalter’s job.
Because Uruguay already have six points and Panama take on last-placed Bolivia on Monday, the USMNT likely needs a win just to have a chance to advance. This is an incredibly tough spot to be in against one of South America’s best and most in form teams.
Uruguay: Bonafide Contenders
Through two games, Uruguay have looked like the team to beat in Copa America. La Celeste beat Panama 3-1 in their opener and took down Bolivia 5-0 on Thursday. It’ll only take a draw for Uruguay to advance to the knockout stage and they’ll advance regardless, in all likelihood.
Five different Uruguay players got on the scoresheet on Thursday as Maximiliano Araujo and Facundo Pellistri both scored and assisted. Darwin Nuñez also scored for a seventh straight game. During that time, the Uruguay striker has found the net 10 times and he’s undoubtedly a Golden Boot candidate.
The Copa America dates show the final is on July 14th and we wouldn’t be surprised to see Uruguay in it. Under Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay have looked like one of the best national teams in the world. They beat Argentina and Brazil last year and recently took down Mexico 4-0 in a friendly.
Bielsa won’t want to let up knowing Uruguay’s place in the knockout stage isn’t sealed yet. They’ll go for the win here and it’s hard to bet against a team in such stellar form.
Match Analysis & Odds
The USA come into this match as +190 underdogs on home soil. In many ways, this match will shape the future of the US national team. If they’re able to get a win here, it’s likely Berhalter will still be in charge at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. If not and the USA succumb to an early exit, the US Soccer Federation will look for a new coach, possibly from abroad.
USA’s players reportedly like playing for Berhalter and they’ll know what this match means. Beating Uruguay is another matter altogether. Uruguay are flying at the moment and will relish the opportunity to take down the tournament hosts. Uruguay are +140 favorites for this one and finishing the group stage unbeaten would be a big feat.
Meanwhile, a draw, which would also ensure Uruguay finish in first place in Group C, is priced at +220 USA vs Uruguay betting odds. The USA would only go through with a draw if Panama draw or lose to Bolivia. Uruguay have scored at least three goals in each of their first two games but under 2.5 goals sit at -141 odds here.
