Uruguay, meanwhile, are very similar to the team which back in February were just a few minutes away from being crowned South American champions. But the good news for the U.S. is that Uruguay are probably a little bit weaker than they were back in February. First, Real Madrid decided not to release centre forward Alvaro Rodriguez for this tournament in Argentina. This has proved a considerable loss. The strapping left-footed striker gave them an effective attacking platform. His replacement Andres Ferrari has picked up an injury, but in any case his all-round game is not as strong.
This makes the absence of Luciano Rodriguez all the more vexing. After spending last year in the Uruguayan second division, Luciano was the break out star of the South American qualifying tournament. He has struggled to find the same form at this competition. There were signs that he might be recapturing in a tough win over Gambia on Thursday. But shortly before half time he was controversially sent off after he was cynically held back as he set on a dangerous run. In a gesture that was part frustration, part an attempt to wriggle free he raised an arm, Luciano was given a red card for elbowing his opponent. It was very harsh — and effectively it meant that Gambia benefited from an atrocious piece of foul play — but it means that Uruguay go into the quarterfinal without their most potent attacking weapon.
That said, plenty of talent remains. The calm and classy Sebastian Boselli is one of the centre-backs of the tournament. Right-back Mateo Ponte is full of strong attacking runs. Captain and midfield general Fabricio Diaz has not been at his best here — although, ominously for the U.S., he played his best game so far against Gambia. Closing Diaz down and preventing him from running the game with his excellent range of passing will be a key task for the young Americans on Sunday.
Diaz will look to plant his through balls for the surging runs of Ponte, or to the dancing feet of dangerous little playmaker Franco Gonzalez. Gonzalez will run at the Americans’ back line, as will Matias Abaldo, fitness allowing. A winger, Abaldo was enjoying a fine tournament until he was injured on Sunday against Tunisia, a victim of the poor pitches that have plagued this competition. Efforts to get him fit in time will surely intensify now that Luciano has been ruled out.
Left footed striker or attacking midfielder Anderson Duarte has endured mixed fortunes, but did manage to score a magnificent winner against Gambia. And there could be more to come from striker Nicolas Siri, used as a late substitute and gradually playing his way into the competition.
Sunday’s match is going to be much harder than the U.S.’s round of 16 win against New Zealand. This is the moment that the quality of the opposition ramps up, and so does the pressure. The North Americans have had an extra day’s rest and an easier route to the quarterfinal. The South Americans have the virtues to make this a match to remember.
