The United States men’s national team played well for stretches, but could not put away the final ball as they held on for the scoreless tie with Uruguay at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, on Sunday.
Following a strong 3-0 win over Morocco a few days ago, the Americans were looking to keep the momentum going in the limited time they have to prepare for the World Cup in November. However, they would have a stronger test against South Americans who entered the game with their own 3-0 victory over Mexico.
Head coach Gregg Berhalter made a few personnel changes in his 4-3-3 formation, with Weston McKennie making his first start since returning from injury. DeAndre Yedlin replaced Reggie Cannon at right-back while Joe Scally made his first start for the team as he was slotted in at left-back. Sean Johnson made his tenth appearance for the U.S. as he got the nod between the posts.
Uruguay had the advantage in the first 10 minutes of the first half, but the U.S. turned the tide afterward as they started to put pressure on the opposition’s goal. Their best chances came through Jesus Ferriera when the ball was played to him in the 19th minute to put a powerful shot on target, but Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera made the stop. The FC Dallas striker then headed the ball over the crossbar from a Yedlin cross a couple of minutes later.
Both sides had chances in the first half, but it would end scoreless as they headed to their respective locker rooms.
Brenden Aaronson, Erik Palmer-Brown, and Paul Arriola would come in at the start of the second half to keep up the momentum and find the goals.
However, it would be Uruguay with a golden chance in the 63rd minute when Federico Valverde put a shot on target from a Matias Vecino cross, but Johnson did well to make a reaction save to keep the ball out of the goal.
As the game was winding down, the U.S. was fortunate their opponents did not steal a win in stoppage time as Edinson Cavani’s shot went wide of the goal. To be fair, his teammate Darwin Nunez had the better chance as he only had to put the ball past Johnson, but he elected to play unselfishly and give Cavani the shot in the end.
The U.S. ended the game with another clean sheet but still looking for a striker to put away the goals.
Next up is the start of the Concacaf Nations League as the U.S. will face Grenada at the Q2 Stadium on Friday in Austin, Texas.
