International Friendly: Clash of the American Titans

USA vs Uruguay

It is North versus South America, it is CONCACAF vs CONMEBOL, and it is young versus old, the pretenders against the masters.   

Whatever you want to call it, this International Friendly between USA and Uruguay is a clash between two teams which are in very good shape and looking forward to the 2022 World Cup.

The USA, managed by Gregg Berhalter had a tough run to the finals, finishing in third place in the CONCACAF table and level on points with fourth-placed Costa Rica, while Uruguay were a little more comfortable – finishing third in the CONMEBOL table and four points clear of the play-offs. 

There is little to choose between the two sides in the FIFA World Rankings, although Uruguay are at 13^th are on the up, while the USA are two places lower at 15^th and are drifting in the opposite direction and the International Friendly 2022 betting odds slightly favour La Celeste for this clash.   

Head coach Diego Alonso has made a fine start as Uruguay manager and he hopes his experienced squad will have a good chance of going deep into the World Cup competition, and this match on Sunday night should feature several International Friendly 2022 highlights and it will also be a good measure of both nations’ chances.    

Talking Points

USA young guns have set their sights

The Stars and Stripes had a tricky World Cup qualification campaign, finishing behind both Canada and Mexico, but they had a few injury problems along the way.

And with players back and fit, they enjoyed a 3-0 win over Morocco in the run up to this game. Brenden Aaronson (21), Tim Weah (22) and Haji Wright (24) all scored and there was a return for three 23-year-olds who have all struggled with injury.

Skipper Christian Pulisic and midfielder Tyler Adams both started while Weston McKennie came off the bench for his first US appearance since February when he suffered a broken foot.

This is a young side nearing full strength and that could be an exciting prospect for Stars and Stripes fans.   

Uruguay’s old guard is still a dangerous opponent

La Celeste have been one of the strongest sides in world football over the last decade, reaching the quarter finals of the World Cup in 2018 and they have had a settled side for much of those 10 years.

The strike partnership of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani has been one of the most prolific and feared pairs in the game and, while Suarez has been left out of this friendly to let him focus on a possible club move, Cavani – who is on his way out of Manchester United – scored twice as Uruguay swept Mexico aside with a 3-0 victory last week.  

At the back, 35-year-old defencive rock Diego Godin has formed an impressive partnership with Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez and Alonso, who took over from Oscar Tavarez in December, has relied on these skilled campaigners to see La Celeste through to Qatar where they will once again expect to make at least the knockout phase. 

This team has a good flow of younger players coming through as well. Highly-rated Benfica striker Darwin Nunez (22) is a target for Manchester United while 23-year-old attacking midfielder Federico Valverde established himself as a key player in Real Madrid’s La Liga winning side. 

History

With a population of just 3.5 million compared with the 330 million inhabitants of the USA, Uruguay is tiny in numbers but huge in terms of their status on the world football stage.

La Celeste are twice World Cup winners and 15 times Copa America champions, while USA made the semi-finals of the World Cup way back in 1930 and have won the CONCACAF Gold Cup seven times.

We don’t have much to work on by way of their head-to-heads asthis is just the second time these two teams have met in recent years, playing out a 1-1 draw as Jordan Morris scored an equaliser to give the Stars and Stripes a share of the spoils. 

In terms of recent results, La Celeste are banging in form with five wins from five, while the USA have won three, drawn one,and lost one over the same period.

Betting Tip

The hosts are at a SBOTOP price of 2.70 to win this game with the draw at 2.90 so it is a very close match to call.

La Celeste have the experience and the quality to win, while the USA have the youth and energy. And I think on this occasion it will be the players who have been there and done that who will come out on top.     

 

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