The United States put on a show under Mauricio Pochettino, dominating Uruguay 5-1 in a friendly match at Raymond James Stadium. Pochettino’s squad came out strong, scoring four goals in the first half, while Uruguay’s captain Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off in the second half.
Sebastian Berhalter opened the scoring with a stunning goal in the 17th minute, followed by Alexander Freeman doubling the lead three minutes later. Freeman then scored his second goal with a powerful shot in the 31st minute, and Diego Luna added a fourth just before halftime.
Uruguay managed to pull one back with Giorgian de Arrascaeta’s bicycle kick, but their hopes were dashed when Bentancur was shown a red card for a high challenge. Tanner Tessmann sealed the victory for the USMNT with a goal four minutes later.
Despite a low expected goals (xG) total, the United States put on an impressive performance, scoring five goals against a non-CONCACAF team for only the fifth time in history. This win, along with their recent victory over Paraguay, marked a significant achievement for the team.
The first-half blitz set the tone for the match, with the USMNT scoring four goals in the opening 45 minutes for the 11th time since 1970. This dominant display showcased the team’s potential as they look ahead to the upcoming World Cup.
