The United States Men’s National Team required a challenging schedule in the run-up to hosting next summer’s World Cup and responded with a strong series of friendly opponents. After opening with a victory
against Paraguay (2-1), the current window continues against a Uruguay side that secured qualification for the tournament. The two-time titlists (1930, 1950) are attempting to relive previous glories but have largely receded to the second or the third tier of the global sporting hierarchy. Tampa, Florida’s Raymond James Stadium, a 65,000-seat venue with a natural grass surface, is set to host the fixture.
This is the 10th all-time meeting between the two nations, with the USMNT on the wrong side of a 2-3-4 record and falling in the most recent fixture (0-1) during the group stage of the 2024 Copa América. Ranked 15th internationally by FIFA, Uruguay reached the upcoming World Cup by finishing at fourth place in the CONMEBOL qualifying table with 28 points, clinching the spot with a victory (3-0) against Peru. Recent friendly results include wins over the Dominican Republic (1-0) and Uzbekistan (2-1) and a draw with Mexico (0-0).
The inimitable Marcelo Bielsa was appointed to the manager role in May of 2023, having “fallen into the program’s lap” due to his home in Montevideo and stalled negotiations with various other parties. The 70-year-old nicknamed El Loco has taken a variety of positions and captured a menagerie of silverware, including several Argentine Primera División titles, the 2004 Summer Olympics gold medal, and the 2019-20 EFL Championship crown with Leeds United. He got the job done in qualifying and navigated a public flap that “affected [his] authority” and resulted in the Uruguay Football Federation pledging “full support” to him.
Bielsa named a 27-player roster for the international window. The entire group is based abroad, with eight call-ups in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and 10 talents on the books at various European clubs. Notable absences include Sergio Rochet, Federico “Fede” Valverde, Cristian “Kike” Olivera, Nicolás Fonseca, and Darwin Núñez.
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GOALKEEPERS (2): Santiago Mele (Monterrey), Cristopher Fiermarin (Deportes Tolima)
DEFENDERS (9): José María Giménez (Atlético Madrid), Matías Viña (Flamengo), Mathías Olivera (Napoli), Guillermo Varela (Flamengo), Ronald Araújo (Barcelona), Sebastián Cáceres (América), Joaquín Piquerez (Palmeiras), Santiago Bueno (Wolverhampton Wanderers), José Luis Rodríguez (Vasco da Gama)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham Hotspur), Nahitan Nández (Al-Qadsiah), Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United), Maximiliano Araújo (Sporting Lisbon), Rodrigo Zalazar (Braga), Emiliano Martínez (Palmeiras), Juan Manuel Sanabria (Atlético San Luis), Santiago Homenchenko (Querétaro)
FORWARDS (7): Facundo Pellistri (Panathinaikos), Brian Rodríguez (América), Facundo Torres (Palmeiras), Federico Viñas (Oviedo), Rodrigo Aguirre (América), Luciano Rodríguez (Neom), Ignacio Laquintana (Red Bull Bragantino)
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Eschewing his typical 3-3-1-3, Bielsa has utilized a 4-3-3 formation with “one number six and two number eights,” desiring for his “three midfielders to always be in different vertical lines.” He seeks to “create overloads in the center” by “inverting the fullbacks or the wingers” and pressuring the opposition with “a great deal of physical energy.” Against strong sides, the striker will “drop back into deeper areas,” while many quick attacks are generated from the sides, whether along the touchline or through darting runs toward the central zones.
Projected Uruguay Starting XI (via BuildLineup.com)
With number one Sergio Rochet out of the roster, Santiago Mele should step into the lineup and continue building his case for the job at the 2030 World Cup, having started three matches during qualifying. The “confident” 28-year-old Monterrey goalkeeper has adapted quickly to Liga MX after moving over the summer, thriving in a style that keeps the ball on the ground and asks him to “play with his feet [and] as a sweeper.” His work in possession is more than serviceable, with the ability to settle wild passes under pressure and pick the correct option, staying calm even when put into some tense situations by teammates. Despite being a touch undersized, he brings “agility and aerial dominance” to the area but does his best work with the acrobatic stops from point-blank range, displaying composed and lightning-quick reactions.
A stalwart on the back line for club and country, Atlético Madrid’s José María Giménez is a consistent presence who provides all the requisite tackling, clearances, and aerial success. He glides around the width of the pitch in order to put out fires, with an intelligent read of where the play is heading and the selflessness to sacrifice his body. Standing at six feet, four inches tall, Ronald Araújo is heralded as the “Uruguayan Colossus,” praised for his “ferocious [challenges], terrific athleticism, and usefulness in the attack.” Having regained his place at Barcelona after a tough season, the “force of nature” has stepped up for Bielsa by being “fierce in one-against-one duels and rapid across [the] ground to cover his colleagues.” Sebastián Cáceres of Club América is a physical grinder who shuts down opposing forays and will make aggressive runs up the field, utilizing a combination of athleticism and technique. His style is particularly useful at erasing dangerous moments in transition, oftentimes serving as the final player in the formation or darting into the path of a shot for a last-second block. Santiago “Santi” Bueno has “good height” and “possesses the modern qualities on the possession side of the game” with “ability on the ball” and the vision to spot new angles. The 27-year-old Wolverhampton centre-back looks to make an impact on the match with deep passes, interventions in higher zones, and off-balanced removals that require awkward bends and occasional acrobatics.
As expected of any player who spent time on the books at Getafe, Mathías Olivera brings a certain level of defensive stoutness, selflessness, and quickness when buzzing toward the ball. The 28-year-old Napoli fullback is typically a deeper option who shrewdly picks the right pass when under pressure but will also make the occasional dribbling venture into the advanced zones. Al-Qadsiah’s Nahitan Nández claims to have “momentum” after a strong season and a half in the Saudi Pro League, covering large swaths of the field in order to recover possession with firm tackles. A dynamic presence, he is similarly clever when cutting through several of the opponent’s lines, charging forward with driving physical runs and hitting challenging crosses into the box. Guillermo Varela of Flamengo never reached the prophesized heights of his youth but is on pace for competing at a third World Cup and fits Bielsa’s desire for front-foot players who enter the attack. The Montevidean regularly goes to ground for sliding challenges, refuses to get beaten down the endline, makes regular interceptions with sharp reads, and has a decent aerial game for his five-foot-eight height.
Manuel Ugarte admitted to having a poor start to his second season at Manchester United, losing his spot in the starting lineup despite a “tenacious and aggressive” style that “provides ideal protection ahead of the back line.” He is confident in possession while twisting his way out of pressure, slinging the ball into tight areas, and exhibiting comfort when leading the transition, meriting Team of the Tournament at the 2024 Copa América. The rangy Rodrigo Bentancur “loves the ugly side of the game,” registering “a very high volume of defensive actions,” accumulating some of the best interception, block, and heading numbers among his positional cohort. The 28-year-old Tottenham box-to-box makes timely interventions in the deeper zones, has a quick first step out of the gate, and connects the entire formation with his movement and distribution. For a more attacking option, Flamengo’s Giorgian de Arrascaeta is one of the most prolific creators in the history of the Brasileirão while also being “renowned for scoring beautiful goals.” A daring creative presence with innate guile in the final third, his presence is felt when leaving a potential challenger in his wake and adding yet another moment of brilliance to his growing collection. Emiliano Martínez of Palmeiras has accurate distribution, wins his headers, and registers a steady stream of tackles every match, covering acres of space in quick seconds and pinballing around the engine room. With “good technique and marking ability,” his intention is to “orchestrate the game, move forward cleanly, and seek a strong and intense recovery,” using his “athletic body to shield and hold his marker.” The left-footed Facundo Torres adds another attacking option with a powerful shot and evasive machinations through crowds of defenders attempting to bring him down, falling prey to his pace and guile. Target Scouting notes his versatility, strength in tight spaces, and an accurate “in-swinging cross from deeper areas,” while Breaking the Lines praises an unselfish nature and the ability to find gaps with his runs.
Maximiliano “Maxi” Araújo was one of Bielsa’s most trusted options during qualifying and found the back of the net twice during the Copa América, although his best work is done as a progressor. The 25-year-old Sporting Lisbon winger can take a beating and fight through all manner of contact with dogged determination, dragging possession from deep areas into the final third. Facundo Pellistri never found his footing in four seasons at Manchester United and is now attempting to reset his still young career in Greece with Panathinaikos, boasting a potent mix of pace and agility. He is never going to be a stat sheet stuffer and occupies the role of the facilitator, often giving up the ball to a teammate after leading the transition. América’s Brian Rodríguez makes big moves with a long touch, daring field switches, and swooping runs from the outside with designs on registering an attempt on net at any available angle. In addition to his seven goals and four assists in the Liga MX Apertura, his solo progression and distribution help the team push into the advanced zones, taking advantage of defenders diving in too soon. Juan Manuel Sanabria of Atlético San Luis has “decent aerial ability” with “good timing and jumping reach,” is “assertive and aggressive” in tackles and duels, and “can play out of pressure with flair.” The manager describes him as “brimming with talent at every level, technically gifted, pacier than [everybody], capable of playing as a fullback, and full of character, intelligence, and game understanding.”
Having only achieved his senior international debut in 2024, Club América’s Rodrigo Aguirre is making a late push for the starting role with two crucial goals against Colombia and Venezuela during qualifying while also serving as a drop-back option in possession. The 31-year-old Montevidean has a physical style and will often lead the transition but can finish off plays with a clever touch in the box, a header after rising above the defenders, or a long-distance shot. The manager has tasked him to “be himself” by getting into battles with opponents and chasing balls over the top, grinding out results with an unstoppable desire to burst into space. His pressing is similarly effective, with some of the best tackle and interception numbers among his positional cohort in Liga MX, keeping him effective in both phases of the game. Federico Viñas, on loan at Oviedo from León, is making a late run at a roster spot after recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, showing his “very high caliber” with one goal and three assists in recent months. Another hard-working member of the squad who makes a defensive impact, his style is defined by grit, a poacher’s instincts to seize opportunities, and the wherewithal to operate as a hold-up option.
The USMNT is kicking things into high gear, with every match representing one of the final opportunities for improvement. Uruguay should bring a strong challenge and showcase a slightly different tactical style than the norm, an experience that could pay dividends next summer. Friendly results can be difficult to predict, but the visitors have the edge on talent and should be on the right side of a tight scoreline.
The match is scheduled for Tuesday, November 18th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern, 4:00 p.m. Pacific. Viewing options include TNT, truTV, Universo, HBO Max, Peacock, and FuboTV (free trial).
