They have a joint-record 15 Copa America titles to their name and Marcelo Bielsa at the helm. There’s more than one reason why Uruguay are expected to go all the way in the United States this summer…
The manager
There are only a few managers at Copa America 2024 that need no introduction.
Marcelo Bielsa is someone who is universally known for his mercurial personality and stubborn tactical philosophy. The 68-year-old, who revolutionized Chile’s national team and became a hero to Leeds United supporters, now holds the keys to one of South America’s most promising squads.
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When Bielsa accepted the Uruguay job just over a year ago, he did so knowing that the small country (population: 3.4million; less than Los Angeles) that borders his homeland of Argentina could be on the brink of newfound glory.
But nothing comes easy in South American football.
Uruguay suffered through some growing pains at the start of Bielsa’s tenure but back-to-back wins over Brazil and Argentina in World Cup qualifying at the end of last year solidified the belief that he is the right man for this job.
Marcelo Bielsa — still coaching from the lid of a bucket (Franco Arland/Getty Images)
The household name you haven’t heard of yet
Uruguay are replete with experienced players but they’re not a star-studded team. Of course, names such as Federico Valverde, Luis Suarez and Darwin Nunez stand out for obvious reasons. Bielsa, though, will rely heavily on playmaker Nicolas de la Cruz.
The 27-year-old is a recognizable figure for followers of South American club football. De la Cruz won 10 trophies from 2017-23 with River Plate in Argentina, becoming a dependable attacking piece during coach Marcelo Gallardo’s tenure at the Buenos Aires club. De la Cruz can play behind the strikers or as a right winger. He’s intelligent on the ball, which has made him a versatile player in the attacking third.
Now with Brazilian side Flamengo, De la Cruz is an established footballer with a championship pedigree. He will be one of Bielsa’s go-to players at this Copa America.
Nicolas de la Cruz could prove to be an important attacking asset for Uruguay (ANP via Getty Images)
Strengths
This small but talent-rich nation has always produced hard-working players. Add legends such as Suarez, who received a surprise Copa call-up at 37 years old after not being involved in their March friendlies or the two pre-tournament warm-up games, and Edinson Cavani, who announced his retirement from international football last month at the same age, and it’s clear how deep Uruguay’s talent goes, despite the country’s limited resources.
One of Uruguay’s main strengths is their winning mentality, with no game lost until the final whistle. Every challenge is a do-or-die situation.
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Uruguay have stumbled in major tournaments, though — most recently at the 2022 World Cup, in which Uruguay, then led by manager Diego Alonso, failed to advance from the group stage, winning one of their three matches. Under Bielsa, Uruguay have introduced younger, more athletic players to the senior national team.
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Uruguay are pressing higher up the pitch but with speedy wingers such as Facundo Pellistri and Brian Rodriguez, plus the direct running of Nunez, can also counter effectively if forced to play in a low block. And as you may suspect, they tend to defend their penalty area very well, with their back line led by Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo.
One more thing: watch out for Uruguay on attacking set pieces.
Uruguay thrashed Mexico 4-0 in their final pre-tournament friendly on June 5 (Omar Vega/Getty Images)
Weaknesses
Bielsa’s stubborn tactics do tend to leave Uruguay in vulnerable situations. They can get stretched and against teams that dominate possession, Uruguay can become one-dimensional. Bielsa also requires his defenders to play out of pressure, which provides triggers for the opposing team’s own pressing tactics.
Other than that, Uruguay are a very sound team. However, they have begun a new era in between the posts. Sergio Rochet has replaced long-time goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. The 31-year-old Rochet, who plays for Brazilian side Internacional, is talented and he did unseat Muslera for the No 1 job at the 2022 World Cup.
Muslera was a veteran of four World Cup tournaments. He also lifted a Copa America in 2011, keeping a clean sheet in Uruguay’s 3-0 win against Paraguay in the final.
Rochet has big shoes to fill.
The thing you didn’t know
From 2006 to 2023, Uruguay’s kits were designed by Puma. The national team’s classic light blue shirts and black shorts are an iconic look in world football. Puma is also a well-recognized brand in the football world. They’ve designed some memorable looks over the years but, in 2022, Puma’s World Cup kits were among the worst at the tournament.An oversized team badge was panned by fans and pundits alike.
In April, Uruguay’s FA signed with Nike — but the deal isn’t permanent. Uruguay will wear Nike kits at this Copa America. but after the tournament, their short-term contract with the U.S.-based company will end.
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An open bid process will take place to determine the kit-maker that will sponsor Uruguay through the 2026 World Cup. Nike could win that bid, but if they don’t, Uruguay’s 2024 Copa America kits will become an interesting collector’s item.
Expectations back home
When Bielsa was hired, the Uruguayan press was nearly unanimously in favor of the decision. Some sectors of the press questioned Bielsa’s methods, and the Argentinian’s nationality was a problem for others. But, generally speaking, Uruguayans felt that Bielsa’s appointment confirmed that they were a heavyweight in global football.
Uruguay are expected to reach the final of this Copa America. They should expect nothing less based on their talent, their footballing culture and the man in charge on the touchline.
In March, Bielsa told reporters he had not had sufficient time to fully install his ideas. He then credited his players for executing his tactics in spite of a congested calendar. “The Uruguayan footballer has unconditional support for their national team, which leads to them prioritizing their country over everything else,” said Bielsa.
And before a pre-Copa America friendly against Mexico on June 5, Bielsa shuttered the idea that Uruguay were favorites to win the competition. “Teams express themselves based on the quality of their players,” Bielsa said. “National-team coaches are testimonial figures who have little influence, both in the good and the bad.”
One should expect nothing less from Bielsa. But if that commitment to the cause can align itself with his ideas, Uruguay may very well be the story of the 2024 Copa America.
Uruguay’s Copa America squad
Goalkeepers:Sergio Rochet(Internacional),Santiago Mele (Atletico Junior), Franco Israel (Sporting Lisbon)
Defenders: Ronald Araujo (Barcelona),Jose Maria Gimenez (Atletico Madrid),Nicolas Marichal(Dinamo Moscow),Matias Vina(Flamengo),Lucas Olaza(Krasnodar),Mathias Olivera(Napoli),Sebastian Caceres(Club America),Guillermo Varela(Flamengo),Nahitan Nandez(Cagliari)
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Midfielders:Manuel Ugarte (Paris Saint-Germain), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham Hotspur), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid),Emiliano Martinez(Midtjylland),Nicolas de la Cruz(Flamengo),Giorgian de Arrascaeta(Flamengo)
Forwards: Luis Suarez (Inter Miami), Darwin Nunez (Liverpool),Agustin Canobbio(Athletico Paranaense),Brian Rodriguez(Club America),Brian Ocampo(Cadiz),Facundo Pellistri(Granada, on loan from Manchester United),Maximiliano Araujo(Toluca),Cristian Olivera (LAFC).
(Top image: Rodrigo Valle, Ernesto Ryan, Getty Images; design: John Bradford)
Felipe Cardenas is a staff writer for The Athletic who covers MLS and international soccer. Follow Felipe on Twitter @FelipeCar
