Thursday’s games at the 2024 Copa America as the focus is very much on matchday 2 in Group C.
The second rounds of the 2024 Copa America group stages are well underway as the spotlight on Thursday turns to Group C.
Both the United States and Uruguay can guarantee places in the quarterfinals should they secure maximum points against rivals Panama and Bolivia respectively.
Panama-USA
The USMNT are looking to build on an opening victory against Bolivia, which has already put Gregg Berhalter’s team in a commanding position of securing a place in the next round but will face a familiar opponent after two relatively recent meetings between the teams in the CONCACAF Nations League.
Berhalter will be keen for his men to seal their place in the last eight as soon as possible, to avoid having to get a result in matchday three against Uruguay, the toughest game in the group on paper.
If both the Stars and Stripes and Uruguay win against Panama and Bolivia respectively on Thursday, they will be confirmed in the quarterfinals and their meeting on matchday three will determine which team progresses as group winner.
Everything points to US coach Gregg Berhalter remaining faithful with the XI players that started for the opening 2-0 over Bolivia with Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun on target.
Speaking ahead of the match, ‘Canaleros’ coach Thomas Christensen said of his team: “I can’t do much more. If we don’t come out with desire in Copa America, I don’t know how it’s going to go. This should start with the player himself. We will try to get them to go out at 100% from the start”, Christiansen told a press conference at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Uruguay-Bolivia
Uruguay and Bolivia meet on Thursday at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium with Marcelo Bielsa’s side aiming to consolidate its position at the top of Group C after an impressive 3-1 win over Panama in the group opener with goals from Maxi Araujo, Darwin Núñez and Matías Viña.
The Uruguayan side have looked impressive in World Cup qualifying under the Argentine coach and have taken this form into the Copa and are considered by many as serious contenders for the title.
Bolivia are still smarting following their 2-0 loss to the United States and face a tall order to keep their tournament dreams alive as they take on one of the favorites.
Speaking on being ‘favourites’ for the competition, Bielsa replied in characteristic fashion: “Being favourites is a totally inconsequential issue and something manipulated by the media”.
How can I watch Copa America 2024 games?
The following channels and streaming services will be showing these games in the United States:
Panama-USA: TUDN.com, Univision NOW, Foxsports.com, TUDN App, ViX, FOX Sports App, Fox Sports 1, TUDN USA, UniMás, SiriusXM FC, and TUDN Radio.
Uruguay vs Bolivia: TUDN.com, Univision NOW, Foxsports.com, TUDN App, ViX, FOX Sports App, Fox Sports 1, TUDN USA, Univision, SiriusXM FC, and TUDN Radio.
You can also watch the games via live stream on fuboTV, which offers new users a free trial