Sebastian Berhalter Started the scoring with a strong hit and alex freeman Added two goals in the first half United States of America ran ruthlessly uruguay in a 5–1 friendly win at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday night.
The United States took a surprise lead in the first half when Berhalter fired a shot past Uruguayan keeper Christopher Fiermarin from a set piece.
And the surprises kept coming for the Americans, who were playing without some of their biggest stars Christian Pulisic, antony robinson, Weston McKenney And tyler adams,
Ten minutes later Freeman beat Fiermarin with a spectacular header off a corner kick for his first American goal, and then scored again after breaking through the Uruguayan defense and rifleing in a close-range shot to make the score 3–0.
The goals keep coming for America diego luna A good team move down the left ended with a first-time shot, before Uruguay finally got on the scoreboard with a beautiful overhead kick. georgian d’arrasqueta This left the visitors trailing 4-1 in the locker room.
U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino was irritated by the late goal when speaking to TNT during an interview during halftime.
“We need to maintain our intensity and concentration,” Pochettino said. “This can’t happen. Now we have to control the emotions and control the other part. This is the hardest thing.”
Pochettino made nine changes to the defeated lineup paraguaya 2-1 on Saturday, with sergino destination and goalkeeper Matthew Freeze Again only two players made it to the eleven.
giovanni reynaThe goalscorer, on his first start for the U.S. since the summer of 2024, was one of those left out of the lineup, but he came on for Luna in the 61st minute with his team still leading 4–1.
Immediately after Reyna entered the field, the number of Uruguayan players was reduced to 10. Rodrigo Bentancur A straight red card was shown for a lunging slide tackle, which left Berhalter with an injury to his lower leg.
Americans take advantage of extra man when Reyna sets up fellow substitute Tanner Tesman His first goal in an American jersey extended the lead to four goals.
The result marked the first time the United States had scored five goals against a World Cup-winning team or a team from South America and helped Pochettino’s side end a tumultuous calendar year on a high note.
The Americans have won four games, including three in a row, during a five-game unbeaten streak against World Cup-bound teams.
Next year, the US will play two friendlies in March – possibly against portugal And belgium — and then two more tournaments in late May or early June before hosting the World Cup on home soil with Canada and Mexico next summer.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this recap.
