Diego Forlan Cautions Christian Pulisic & USMNT By Putting Uruguay Over Manchester City & Real Madrid

The current Uruguay squad is one team everyone would pray to avoid in a do-or-die game. But Gregg Berhalter will now be looking to test all known tactics to survive Uruguay’s hellfire and go ahead in the US-hosted Copa America 2024. In what is perhaps a warning to Christian Pulisic and his USMNT teammates, former Uruguay megastar Diego Forlan observed that Marcelo Bielsa’s squad’s speed and quick attacks are second to none in the world.

As per The Athletic’s Felipe Cardenas, Diego Forlan likened Uruguay to European heavyweights- Real Madrid and Manchester City in a recent interview. “Uruguayan legend Diego Forlán in a morning interview has said that neither Man City nor Real Madrid play as high tempo as Bielsa’s Uruguay,” said Cardenas on X. “Uruguay’s speed of play has been very impressive. They are truly relentless. USMNT have a massive hill to climb on Monday,” the journalist added, nodding to Forlan’s hot take.

It remains to be seen how the Uruguayan side would thrive against City or Madrid in a hypothetical situation. But Marcelo Bielsa’s men’s first two games at the ongoing Copa prove that they are the best team in the tournament so far. Uruguay started with a 3-1 win against Panama and uprooted Bolivia 5-0 in the next game. These numbers are indeed better than those put out by historic favorites such as Argentina and Brazil. Next on Uruguay’s prey trail is Berhalter’s USMNT. Speaking of the match, Christian Pulisic called it the “game of our lives.”

Captain Pulisic hopes USMNT will give its best vs Uruguay and continue in the Copa

“We have to go, and we have to represent our country with passion, and pride. We have to go and play the best game of our lives, and that’s it. We want to go, we want to win, and we want to continue in this competition,” said Christian Pulisic in a pre-game interview. Christian Pulisic, notably catapulted the US’ opening win against Bolivia. His strike partner Folarin Balogun scored in both group games for the US. Regardless of how difficult it would be for the US to face Uruguay, we can expect a show from Pulisic and his strike partner.

Even if they don’t beat Uruguay, the US can still pass to the knockouts. But for that, Berhalter’s men would need help from other groups and members of their own group. Hence, only a win will ensure that the USMNT comfortably features in the knockouts. Besides, the American team has yet to fix its woes in the defensive third. The slightest of mistakes would immensely cost the Americans, as Uruguay is no Panama or Bolivia.