The U.S. men’s national team may be facing an immense challenge to avoid an early Copa América exit, but Tyler Adams and Antonee Robinson at least know what it’s going to take to pull off a statement win over Uruguay.
A 2-1 loss to Panama marred by Tim Weah’s red card has left the USMNT facing a difficult scenario in Group C.
While there are a range of outcomes that the U.S. could use to go through, a win on Monday in Kansas City is likely to end up a requirement.
“We’re gonna have to definitely be on our ‘A’ game,” defender Antonee Robinson told reporters at a Saturday press conference. “There’s no reason to hold anything back. We’re all gonna have to give everything in this game.”
As of Saturday, Uruguay is Copa América’s top-scoring team, ringing up eight goals after following a 3-1 win over Panama with a 5-0 demolition of Bolivia. Marcelo Bielsa’s trademark pressing tactics have defined both games, with Uruguay’s traditional intensity amped up to 10 even when both prior wins appeared decided.
Adams: USMNT ‘match up well’ vs. Uruguay
Still, as impressive as La Celeste have been, USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams was able to discuss his familiarity with how to solve the puzzle posed by Bielsa’s man-marking approach.
“We have a lot of players that match up well in this style of play specifically, so movement is going to be the biggest key in this game,” said the Bournemouth midfielder, who would go on to note that his club coach Andoni Iraola has learned directly from the iconoclastic Argentine manager.
“Man-to-man, you have to move, constantly be moving. Sometimes you’re not always going to be the first option in possession, it’s going to be second option and then find your space afterwards.
“They have a lot of athleticism in their midfield, as do we. I play under a coach now that plays a similar style as Bielsa and learned from Bielsa at Athletic [Club]. So, [I’m] kind of used to play against that.”
Beyond the tactical nuance and physical demands of that constant motion, Robinson added that the USMNT will have to find the spaces Uruguay leaves open while aggressively pressing the ball.
“Playing against teams who Bielsa has coached in the past, we know that they’re going to be extremely high-intensity, really forward-thinking,” explained the 26-year-old. “They play quite a high-risk, high-reward game… [The USMNT must] try and find a balance between being able to exploit their weakness and making sure we don’t expose ourselves too much as well.”
However, going beyond a game plan, the biggest task at hand is clear: the USMNT has to empty the tank to have a chance.
“If we’re looking at it realistically, there’s a chance that this is our last game in the tournament,” said Robinson. “I think it’s definitely going to come down to a massive effort from the team.”
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