Christian Pulisic: ‘Just Not Enough Quality’ for USMNT After Uruguay Loss, Copa Exit

Andrew PetersJuly 2, 2024

Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF

Christian Pulisic and the United States faced a disappointing loss to Uruguay on Monday, ending its time in Copa América.

After the loss, Pulisic expressed his frustration, saying he and his team just didn’t have what it took to get the win.

“We had a good start and brought a lot of energy, but at the end of the day just not enough quality,” Pulisic said. “I felt like we gave it everything, but we just couldn’t find the solution to score.”

FOX Soccer @FOXSoccer”At the end of the day, there just wasn’t enough quality.”@JennyTaft catches up with USMNT’s Christian Pulisic after the match ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/lSGPYpPM6X

Left-back Antonee Robinson echoed Pulisic’s statement, expressing the United States’ failure to capitalize on some big moments down the stretch.

“I think just a lack of quality in the final third,” Robinson said. “It just felt like it wasn’t an even game. They had their chances, we had ours, and when it came to they put theirs away and we didn’t. It’s really disappointing for us.”

FOX Soccer @FOXSoccer”We weren’t good enough to get the win today.”@JennyTaft speaks with USMNT’s Antonee Robinson after the match ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/FUNONlIEzV

The match was scoreless until the 66th minute when Uruguay scored in controversial fashion. What appeared to be a possible offside call was upheld, giving Uruguay what would be the game-winning goal.

FOX Soccer @FOXSoccerThe VAR review of the Uruguay goal ruled this as onside 🎥🧐 pic.twitter.com/awOZVDqp6a

The showing at Copa América certainly raises questions about how the United States can improve moving forward, but goalkeeper Matt Turner remains confident in his team.

“I see no issue with the direction we’re heading,” Turner said. “When you have a fight like that on the pitch in every single game we’re in in this tournament, it speaks volumes to how the manager prepares us.”

FOX Soccer @FOXSoccer”I see no issue with the direction we’re heading. When you have a fight like that on the pitch in every single game we’re in in this tournament, it speaks volumes to how the manager prepares us.”@JennyTaft talks with USMNT’s Matt Turner after being eliminated from Copa América pic.twitter.com/x3eE89M7Um

While Pulisic was disappointed with the loss, he’s counting on his team to recover from the early exit and begin preparing for the future with the World Cup on the horizon.

“Now it’s just about getting a little bit of rest and regrouping and finding an identity again,” Pulisic said. “We have some big things ahead and we look forward to that.”

The United States will now have some time off before a pair of international friendlies against Canada and New Zealand in September.