USMNT vs Uruguay prediction, projected lineups, and how to watch

The good times keep rolling for Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT late in 2025. Even with seven potential starters absent, Folarin Balgoun and Gio Reyna stepped up with goals, as the U.S. earned a 2-1 win over a feisty Paraguay side on Saturday night. That gives the USMNT three wins and a draw in its last four friendly matches, as Pochettino is pushing the right buttons and getting the most out of his team. Alas, arguably the USMNT’s toughest opponent of the calendar year will be its last when the Americans face Uruguay on Tuesday.

Despite a modest fourth-place finish in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, Uruguay should be considered a top team. The Sky Blue is coming off a scoreless draw with Mexico on Saturday, extending the team’s unbeaten streak to six matches. Uruguay has allowed just one goal during that stretch, outscoring opponents 8-1 in four wins and two draws, making them a tough egg to crack for a USMNT side that’s missing several key players.

This game is a rematch of last summer’s Copa America game that eliminated the U.S. from the competition. Needing a result, the USMNT lost 1-0 to Uruguay on a goal by Mathias Olivera. In addition to gaining some redemption for that loss, Tuesday’s game with Uruguay might be the USMNT’s best chance before the 2026 World Cup to test itself against a team that expects to make a deep run in that tournament next summer.

How to Watch USMNT vs Uruguay

Time: Tuesday, November 18, 7:00 PM, ET

Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

TV/streaming: TNT, TruTV, and HBOMax in English | Universo and Peacock in Spanish

USMNT vs Uruguay Projected Lineup

Pochettino used what most would consider the best lineup available to him against Paraguay. But that likely means some changes are coming on Tuesday, as Pochettino will give more players a chance to audition. However, the manager will still do his best to put together a lineup that can compete with a quality South American squad.

USMNT Lineup (3-4-3, right to left)

Matt Freese (GK) - Joe Scally, Mark McKenzie, Auston Trusty - Alex Freeman, Aidan Morris, Tanner Tessmann, Max Arfsten - Diego Luna, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright

Uruguay Lineup (4-3-3, right to left)

Santiago Mele (GK) - Jose Luis Rodriguez. Jose Maria Gimenez, Mathias Olivera, Matias Vina - Rodrigo Bentancur, Manuel Ugarte, Nahitan Nandez - Facundo Pellistri, Rodrigo Aguirre, Brian Rodriguez

USMNT vs Uruguay prediction

After Uruguay played Mexico to a stalemate on Saturday, it’s not far-fetched to see a similar game against the USMNT on Tuesday. Uruguay’s roster features a deep contingent of center backs and defensive-minded midfielders that will be tough to breakdown, especially if there are lineup changes made to the attacking band.

At the same time, the South American side has a lack of proven match-winners. There are only two players on the roster for this game with more than four international goals, and one is center back Jose Maria Gimenez. In three friendly matches against the Dominican Republic, Uzbekistan, and Mexico over the last two windows, Uruguay has just three total goals, showcasing a lack of offensive firepower.

In other words, goal-scoring chances could be hard to come by for both teams in this game. In a friendly, neither team will want to sit back in a defensive shell, although Uruguay’s strong defensive personnel and lack of proven attacking players will make this a cagey game. It’s possible that both teams find a breakthrough at some point, but there may not be much to separate these teams after 90 minutes.

Prediction: USA 1, Uruguay 1