The USMNT, which was predicted to finish in the top two spots in the group that also featured Bolivia and Panama, is having a poor season.
The United States had a few options for escape going into Monday night’s game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, though, following an unexpected setback to Panama last week.
The first was obviously defeating Uruguay, which if Panama hadn’t defeated Bolivia in their last group stage game, would have resulted in a goal differential victory. The alternative two was a draw.
With Uruguay and the United States tied at zero goals and Bolivia scored its first goal of the competition in the second half to draw the score at one, things were looking up.
After missing a penalty, Ronaldo sobs, but eventually finds happiness as Portugal advances.
But then, on a set piece, Mathias Olivera kicked in a deflection from American goalkeeper Matt Turner, who had earlier stopped a header that was headed for the goal. Referees would later declare Olivera offside, but the goal was ultimately maintained.
The United States then found themselves in desperate mode as Panama began to pour goals in, requiring a 2-1 victory to get past the group stage.
