SEATTLE - It's been more than a decade since Uruguay won a Copa América title and, under new coach Marcelo Bielsa, 'La Celeste' will look to end the drought this summer. Tied with Argentina as the nations with the most Copa América titles ever (15), Uruguay hasn't won the competition since 2011.
In fact, since they lifted the trophy in 2011, Uruguay hasn't made it past the quarterfinals and the last time Copa América was held in the United States, they failed to advance from the group stages.
'El Loco' Bielsa will have at his disposal a combination of youth and experience and, the great form the team has shown since he took over last year, makes Uruguay one of the favorites to win the competition.
Since June of 2023, Uruguay has only lost two of its 10 games under Bielsa and currently sit in second place in the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers, three points behind Argentina. In those 10 games, 'La Celeste' has kept a clean sheet in half of those games and has outscored its opponents 24-8.
Uruguay's Copa América quick facts
Group: C
Best result: champions (15 times); Uruguay has only won one Copa América title in the last 30 years
Coach: Marcelo Bielsa (appointed June 2023); 7-2-1 W-L-D record
Uruguayan top scorer in Copa América: Severino Varela (15 goals)
Where is Uruguay playing?
'Los Charrúas' will begin their Copa América 2024 dream with a game against Panama at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The only CONMEBOL rival they will have in the group stages will be Bolivia, who they will face in New Jersey on June 27. Uruguay will close out the group stage with a blockbuster clash against the host nation at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
June 23: Uruguay vs Panama - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
June 27: Uruguay vs Bolivia - MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
July 1: United States vs Uruguay - Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
26-man list for Copa América
On June 8, Marcelo Bielsa announced the final 26-man roster that will represent "La Celeste" at Copa América 2024. Veteran striker and Uruguay's all-time top scorer Luis Suárez made the cut despite only playing one game for the 15-time Copa América winners since the 2022 World Cup ended.
Goalkeepers: Sergio Rochet (International), Santiago Melé (Junior), Franco Israel (Sporting Lisbon).
Defenders: Ronald Araujo (Barcelona), José María Giménez (Atlético Madrid), Sebastián Cáceres (América), Nicolás Marichal (Dynamo), Mathías Olivera (Napoli), Lucas Olaza (Krasnodar), Matías Viña (Flamengo), Guillermo Varela (Flamengo), Nahitán Nández (Cagliari).
Midfielders: Manuel Ugarte (Paris Saint-Germain), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Emiliano Martínez (Midtjylland), Nicolás de la Cruz (Flamengo), Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Agustín Canobbio (Paranaense).
Forwards: Brian Rodríguez (América), Brian Ocampo (Cádiz), Facundo Pellistri (Granada), Maximiliano Araujo (Toluca), Cristián Olivera (Dallas), Darwin Núñez (Liverpool) Luis Suárez (Inter Miami).
Notable absence
Edinson Cavani
Just a couple of weeks ago, the Boca Juniors striker Edinson Cavani made an official announcement that he would be retiring from international soccer, putting an end to a great career with 'La Celeste.' Cavani played for Uruguay in 136 games including four World Cups and five Copa América tournaments.
In terms of goals, only Luis Suárez has scored more for 'La Celeste' than Cavani's 58 goals.
Player to watch
Darwin Núñez
Without Edinson Cavani and with Luis Suárez playing more of a secondary role, Copa América 2024 will be Darwin Núñez's time to shine as Uruguay's main striker. The Liverpool star has started in each of Uruguay's six World Cup Qualifiers under Bielsa and leads all CONMEBOL players with five goals in WCQ.
Núñez has scored in each of his last five games with 'La Celeste' and he is coming off a good season with Liverpool where he participated in 30 goals in all competitions (18 goals, 12 assists).
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
