close
close
Benua

How could USMNT qualify for the knockout stages of Copa America? Scenarios for the USA

Vaseline

Follow live coverage of USMNT vs Uruguay at the Copa America 2024 today

The USMNT suffered a shock defeat to Panama in the Copa America on Thursday, leaving their chances of progressing outside the group in doubt.

Folarin Balogun had put the tournament hosts ahead with his second goal in as many games in the competition before Cesar Blackman equalized.

The US had previously been reduced to 10 men after Tim Weah was sent off for an off-the-ball incident.

Jose Fajardo stunned the home crowd at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a goal in the 83rd minute to ultimately win the match, before a chaotic ending that also saw Adalberto Carrasquilla dismissed for a late challenge on Christian Pulisic.

The result means Gregg Berhalter’s team now have work to do to qualify for the knockout stages.

go deeper

GO DEEPER

USMNT 1-2 Panama: 10-man American Copa America hopes for balance

Is the USMNT out?

No, but they have work to do.

The defeat to Panama means they now likely need a positive result against Uruguay on Monday night if they are to have any chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.

What should they do?

For the USMNT to advance to the knockout stage, their result against Uruguay in their final group stage match must match or better Panama’s result against Bolivia.

  • If Panama beats Bolivia, the US must beat Uruguay and then goal difference (the first deciding factor) is decisive.
  • If Panama and Bolivia draw, the US would advance with a win or a draw
  • If Bolivia beats Panama, the US will advance with a win or a draw, while if they lose, goal difference will be the deciding factor.

Panama is the favorite to beat Bolivia, as the country is 41 places higher in the FIFA rankings.

They are also undefeated in their last four matches against Bolivia. The last time they lost against the country was in August 2008.

What are the tiebreakers?

In the event of a draw on points at the end of the group stage, the goal difference is the first deciding factor, then the goal scored and then the mutual relationships.

A team’s disciplinary record can ultimately be used to split a tie before the draw.

  • Points achieved in all group matches (three points for a win, one for a draw, zero for a defeat);
  • Goal difference in all group matches;
  • Number of goals scored in all group matches;
  • Points scored in the matches between the respective teams;
  • Goal difference in the matches played between the respective teams;
  • Number of goals scored in the matches between the respective teams;
  • Fewest red cards;
  • Fewest yellow cards;
  • Drawing lots.

What now?

Monday July 1st

USMNT vs Uruguay (9:00 PM ET, Arrowhead Stadium)

Bolivia vs Panama (9:00 p.m. ET, Inter&Co Stadium)

(Photo: Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

Related Posts