It was another scouting match for USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino as he continues to give chances to everyone he can, in search of who will not only be the best XI but who will even make the roster for the upcoming
2026 FIFA World Cup. It also doesn’t help this match comes with just two days of rest for those who logged starts against Paraguay. Nine changes were made from the XI that took the pitch at the start of the team’s last match, a win over Paraguay just a few days ago, as players continue to look to prove themselves and earn their spots on the World Cup roster. This match also marked the final match of the year, as the team wont see the pitch again until March 2026.
The first 15 minutes of the match went about as expected up against a team like Uruguay who are riding some incredible form. USMNT weren’t giving up too much, not getting caught on the counter but still keeping shape defensively and not allowing any clear looks for an early goal. In the 17th minute United States earned a free kick from a real dangerous position just outside the box. While the angle was difficult for a direct look, USMNT had a plan straight from the training ground as Sebastian Berhalter tapped it over to Sergiño Dest who quickly returned it to Berhalter who in just a few steps had a bit of a better look at goal. Curling the ball perfectly on his shot, Sebastian Berhalter sent in a stunner that gave United States the lead and gave him his first-ever International goal.
The goal sent the crowd in Tampa into a frenzy as the favorites found themselves down on the road against a feisty United States squad. Perhaps still shocked at giving up the first goal of the night, it took mere minutes before USMNT were again celebrating a score courtesy of a set piece. This time, it was a corner kick and shortly after scoring his first-ever International goal, Sebastian Berhalter was serving up an assist for another first timer. Berhalter sent in a perfectly weighted ball from the corner flag that went sailing far post, finding a leaping Alex Freeman, who got his head onto the ball with enough power to get past the keeper and into the back of the net to double the lead in the 20th minute. The goal was Freeman’s first-ever International goal, as United States had Uruguay in complete disbelief at how this match had begun.
Uruguay nearly cut the deficit in half, but found woodwork instead. Just the idea of Uruguay storming back had United States hungry for more goals, not content with their two first half goals. In the 32nd minute after showing off his impressive heading ability, Alex Freeman showed off his dribbles and footwork. Sending the first defender into the shadow realm with a viscous cutback, he then cut-up between two other defenders before slotting it in for his brace. The 2025 MLS Young Player of the Year was putting on a show in Florida.
The goal fest was far from over, even as the first half was coming to an end. In the 42nd minute some incredible passing provided the prelude to a fourth goal for United States. An excellent long chip pass opened up the flanks, a great low ball into the box, followed by a cheeky little pass into the center of the box all ended with Diego Luna smashing a ball into the back of the net, giving USMNT a 4-0 lead late into the half.
Of course, Uruguay wasn’t about to go out silently and with the last action of the first half they pulled back a goal in style. Unable to fully clear the ball away from their goal, Uruguay was able to keep the late half threat alive with headers and it was Giorgian De Arrascaeta who got on the end of a headed pass and did so with an audacious bicycle kick that screamed into the back of the net as the visitors got one to end the half. Rotated squad or not, United States had put on a show as players were not about to let the narratives prove facts, taking a 4-1 lead into the halftime break.
As expected it was Uruguay who came out for the second half with more urgency. Through the first 15 minutes of the second half the visitors were starting to find their rhythm, as best you can in a match trailing three goals, as they started to get more looks at the goal. However, United States did well to make sure to limit the danger of those chances. The hope for a comeback all but ended in the 65th minute for Uruguay after Rodrigo Bentancur was shown a red card.
Shortly after the red card, United States slammed the door on the visitors with a fifth goal, taking full advantage of being a player up. After coming on as a substitute, Gio Reyna continued his heater with a fantastic ball into the box that hit its target, finding Tanner Tessmann who slammed home a header for another first-ever International goal. in the 69th minute.
Tensions flared up slightly as it became more apparent for Uruguay that they were not winning this match. The referee did a great job in calming everyone down to avoid any nasty scenes, and preventing unnecessary injury as this one came to an end. As mentioned earlier, this is the last time USMNT will see the pitch in 2025, ending the year with a massive win against one of the better sides they will see in preparation for the big tournament in the summer. With just a handful of matches left before the big dance, Pochettino will have lots to think about after this window as the focus will surely be on building chemistry with those he feels will be on roster for the World Cup.
How are you feeling after the big 5-1 win over Uruguay? Leave a comment below!
