Why Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa has been banned for USMNT game at Copa America

Uruguay's sterling start to their Copa America campaign has saw them reinforce their place among the favorites to triumph in the tournament - but they must do without Marcelo Bielsa on the sidelines for their next game.

The nation's attacking prowess has been too difficult for their opponents to contain in their opening two matches as they dispatched of both Panama and Bolivia. With six points on the board, they top Group C , with their passage to the knockout stages all but certain on account of their superior goal difference over their rivals.

Having scored eight times in their two games in the United States so far, they face the hosts next - with Gregg Berhalter's side facing elimination if they slump to defeat and results do not fall in their favor. With Panama facing Bolivia, they could advance instead if they they can boost their goal difference with a high-scoring win as they currently trail the "Stars and Stripes" by a couple of strikes in that respect.

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The major boost for America coming into this all-important final group game is the fact that Uruguay will have to do without head coach Bielsa on the sidelines after he was handed a one-match suspension. The master tactician will instead take in the events at Arrowhead Stadium from the stands.

He has been landed with a sanction after CONMEBOL ruled that his team were late to the field for their encounter with Bolivia. The governing body have issued a fine of $15,000 to the Uruguayan FA as it was determined that they had contravened articles 104 and 145 of the competition's rules.

The former Leeds United boss is the latest in a line of head coaches who have been punished by the organizers, with Argentina's Lionel Scaloni, Chile's Ricardo Gareca and Venezuela's Fernando Batista also having been reprimanded. Now, Uruguay's assistant manager Pablo Quiroga will lead the team for their final group clash.

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Commenting on the situation as Bielsa prepares to sit out the game on the touchline, his second in command admitted that the team had not taken the news of his absence well. He acknowledged: "These sanctions are never taken well because it is a negative aspect for the team.

"We took the necessary precautions (to avoid delays) in the last game, but there were still uncertainties that could not be resolved. In a dressing room during a game you know there is a lot of activity going on, and in this tournament they have been very strict with that short period of time."

He added: "We have to put in the best performance we can. The U.S. are a very important opponent, they have players from the best leagues in the world and they have been doing well for a long time under the current coach."

Meanwhile, Berhalter commented: "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."