The United States was eliminated from the Copa America after a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay, while Panama advanced to the quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Bolivia. The US needed a win to advance but never threatened Uruguay. Coach Gregg Berhalter and captain Christian Pulisic expressed disappointment at their lack of attacking quality. Panama took an early lead against Bolivia, dimming US hopes of advancing. Controversy arose when Uruguay scored a potentially offside goal, further hindering the US’s chances. The US’s first-round exit raises questions about Berhalter’s future as head coach. The defeat highlighted Berhalter’s poor record against top 20 teams and raised doubts about his ability to lead the team to the 2026 World Cup. Despite criticism of the officiating, players took responsibility for the defeat, acknowledging their lack of quality in the final third. The loss was attributed to a lack of attacking prowess, with the US only managing three shots on goal. The defeat was a disappointing end to the tournament for the US team, with fans and analysts alike questioning the team’s capability to compete at a high level.
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