Freeman, Berhalter make World Cup case as USMNT rout Uruguay

In partnership with

Major League Soccer

·19. November 2025

Freeman, Berhalter make World Cup case as USMNT rout Uruguay

By MLSsoccer staff

Alex Freeman and Sebastian Berhalter put on a show as the US men's national team closed out their November window with a stunning 5-1 rout of Uruguay on Tuesday night in Tampa, Florida.

OneFootball Videos

Berhalter got the party started in the 17th minute with a stunning golazo inside the far post after a layoff from Sergiño Dest for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder's first international goal.

Berhalter then turned playmaker three minutes later, with Freeman getting on the end of his back-post corner kick and heading in the USMNT's second goal. It was the Orlando City homegrown right back's first international goal.

The 2025 MLS Young Player of the Year completed his brace in the 31st minute, splitting two Uruguay defenders in the box before blasting the ball inside the near post.

Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna joined the goal barrage in the 42nd minute with a first-time finish in the box to make it 4-0.

Giorgian de Arrascaeta's bicycle kick in first-half stoppage time pulled Uruguay a goal back. But former FC Dallas midfielder Tanner Tessmann put the finishing touches on the rout with his first USMNT goal in the 68th minute.

That came three minutes after Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off on a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Berhalter.

Enter the Claim Your Club Sweepstakes - YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A PRIZE WORTH OVER $14,000!

Goals

17' - USA - Sebastian Berhalter | WATCH
20' - USA - Alex Freeman | WATCH
31' - USA - Alex Freeman | WATCH
42' - USA - Diego Luna | WATCH
45+1' - URU - Giorgian De Arrascaeta | WATCH
68' - USA - Tanner Tessmann | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: The USMNT were hoping to continue the good vibes following a 2-1 win over Paraguay at Subaru Park, home of the Philadelphia Union, but nobody expected the Yanks to defeat Uruguay like this – especially with nine changes to the starting XI. Yet it was already 3-0 just past the half-hour mark, as Freeman and Berhalter made a pretty convincing argument for inclusion at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. To finish the calendar year, Pochettino's side has gone five games unbeaten (4W-0L-1D) against teams qualified for next summer's tournament.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH: There were plenty to choose from in a stunning first half, but the opening goal by Berhalter, his first for the USMNT, was something special.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Freeman's meteoric rise continued at Raymond James Stadium, powerfully heading in his first international goal before a sensational solo effort for his brace 11 minutes later.