United States Dismantles Uruguay 5-1 With Tactical Masterclass in Tampa

TAMPA, FL — The United States capped its 2025 calendar year with a resounding 5-1 victory over Uruguay at Raymond James Stadium on Tuesday night, delivering an offensive performance that left Marcelo Bielsa's visiting side searching for answers as both teams prepare for the 2026 World Cup.

Orlando City defender Alex Freeman provided the breakthrough performance, scoring twice in the opening 31 minutes to become just the second USMNT defender to record a brace since Aaron Long accomplished the feat against Trinidad and Tobago in June 2019. The 21-year-old fullback capitalized on set pieces and counterattacking opportunities, demonstrating the aerial prowess and technical skill that earned him MLS Young Player of the Year honors.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino made nine changes from Saturday's 2-1 win over Paraguay, fielding an experimental roster that responded with four first-half goals. Sebastian Berhalter opened the scoring in the 17th minute, curling a right-footed effort into the upper corner after receiving a return pass from Sergiño Dest on a free kick. Freeman doubled the advantage three minutes later, timing his jump perfectly to head home Berhalter's corner delivery.

The Americans extended their lead through Freeman's individual brilliance in the 31st minute. Auston Trusty's first-time pass sent the defender charging toward goal, where he dribbled through multiple Uruguay defenders before finishing from close range. Diego Luna added a fourth goal in the 42nd minute, completing a flowing team sequence that caught Uruguay's defense disorganized.

Uruguay briefly threatened a comeback when Giorgian de Arrascaeta converted Rodrigo Zalazar's headed pass with an overhead kick in first-half stoppage time. However, Rodrigo Bentancur's 64th-minute ejection—his second yellow card—extinguished any hopes of a revival. Tanner Tessmann completed the scoring in the 68th minute, heading home Giovanni Reyna's corner kick to secure the comprehensive victory.

The Americans dominated the aerial battle throughout the match, winning crucial headers in both penalty areas against a Uruguay squad that included Barcelona midfielder César Araújo. The United States finished with seven shots on goal from 10 total attempts, while Uruguay managed just two shots on target despite controlling 52.4 percent of possession. The hosts earned seven corner kicks to Uruguay's five and matched Uruguay's 10 fouls in a physical but controlled contest.

Playing in Tampa—a venue that has become a reliable home fortress for the national team—the Americans performed before an enthusiastic crowd of 26,110. The victory marks the third time the United States has defeated Uruguay in 10 all-time meetings and the first since May 2002. The four-goal margin ties the USMNT's largest victory against a South American opponent and equals the program's record for largest margin of victory versus a FIFA top-15 opponent.

Bielsa's squad, which entered the match unbeaten in six consecutive matches, appeared surprised by the Americans' offensive consistency and tactical discipline. The Uruguayan coach will regroup his team as they prepare for the World Cup.

Pochettino's side concludes 2025 with a 10-6-2 record and five consecutive matches unbeaten against World Cup-qualified opponents. The performance provides momentum as the program prepares for the World Cup draw on December 5 in Washington, where the United States will learn its group-stage opponents for the 2026 tournament it will co-host with Canada and Mexico.

For the United States, hosting the World Cup brings immense pressure and expectation. Pochettino should be proud of what he is accomplishing with this squad. The comprehensive victory offers tangible evidence of progress with less than two years remaining before the home World Cup begins.