Christian Pulisic has stressed to his American compatriots that they will have to play at their best following the USA’s shocking 2-1 defeat to Panama at the Copa America.
The AC Milan winger and his teammates face an early exit from the tournament if they don’t at least draw against their group’s leaders on Monday night in Kansas City.
‘We have to go and represent our country with passion and pride,’ Pulisic, 25, told reporters. ‘We have to go and play the best game of our lives and that’s it,’ he added before claiming that the US wants to progress to the Round of 16.
When asked if the knockout round ‘came early,’ Pulisic replied: ‘Yeah, I guess you could say that…’
If the US pulls off a much-needed win against Uruguay, then they will qualify for the knockout stages as long as Panma draw or lose.
Christian Pulisic gave a blunt assessment of what the US needs to do to beat Uruguay, Monday
The US can still qualify for the Round of 16 with a Panama loss, depending on goal advantage
If Panama win, the US can still qualify for the knockouts, but they will need to have a better goal difference than Panama. As it stands, the US have a two-goal advantage.
With a tie, the US will only advance with a Panama draw or loss.
If the United States loose, then they will only advance with a Panama loss and if they have a better goal difference than Panama. If the US lose 4-0, and Panama lose 1-0, Panama advances.
In any case, the US will have to do without key winger Tim Weah, who received a red card early-on against Panama, and potentially without its goalkeeper Matt Turner.
The US will possibly have to do without their starting goalkeeper, Matt Turner, against Uruguay
Turner was withdrawn at half-time against Panama after being involved in a heavy collision with Cesar Blackman.
The incident saw him hit the turf hard before receiving treatment from the American medical staff on what appeared to be shoulder and left-leg injuries.
When asked about Turner’s possible availability against Uruguay, Berhalter said: ‘We don’t know his status. We’ll get a report from the medical team later this evening.
‘We’re not sure.’
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