The USMNT has been handed a boost in its quest to qualify for the knockout stages at Copa America - with Uruguay head coach Marcelo Bielsa suspended from the touchline for their clash.
The " Stars and Stripes " have experienced a mixed start to their campaign on home turf as they followed up a win over Bolivia with a loss to Panama in Group C. Their victory in their opener means that they sit in second place in their group but the prospect of coming up against the in-form Uruguay to qualify for the next stage poses a major challenge as they look to advance.
Currently, the state of play for Gregg Berhalter's side is that they must avoid dropping points to go through - provided Panama manage to pick up a draw or better in their final group match. If both teams are to win, then the US will have to hope that their goal difference is better than their rivals in order to book their knockouts place.
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With both countries level on points - and the US having a superior goal difference as things stand - it is a case of do or die for the United States in Group C. With Uruguay having scored seven goals across their first two outings in the tournament, there is no mistaking the formidability of the task for Berhalter's team.
However, the touchline ban issued to opposition boss Bielsa could provide some major cause for optimism for the host nation as they do battle in Kansas City. With the former Leeds United coach set to watch on from the stands at Arrowhead Stadium, the impact of the loss of the tactician on the sidelines remains to be seen as his assistant Pablo Quiroga takes charge instead.
With Uruguay's passage to the knockouts all but secure, barring a spectacular loss and a major swing in goal difference, US boss Berhalter is blocking out the noise over Bielsa potentially resting some key men for the encounter. He said: "My estimate would be that they play their strongest team.
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"Their work is not done, either. Regardless of who's on the sidelines, it's going to be a very similar playing style. They win the ball, and immediately they get behind the back line, and that's something we need to be prepared for. There can't be more pressure on the outside than we put on ourselves as a staff and as players.
"The external stuff we can't control. What we control is how we prepare the team to play confident and have a strong performance. And that's really my focus right now, honestly. The reality is we still have a lot to play for. How do we go out to try to win a soccer game?"
The US head coach added: "We know it's a difficult opponent, but that's what we're trying to do. It's tournament soccer. Our knockout game actually came five days early. And if we don't put a good performance, if we don't win the game, our Copa América is done. There's not much else to say."
Meanwhile, American captain Christian Pulisic admitted: "We don't need any additional pressure. Any of that outside noise, it doesn't affect me personally. I hope it doesn't affect anyone else. People can say what they want. All we can do is give our best and hope that that's enough to win."
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