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Uruguay Team Page

Squad

Coach: Gustavo Ferrin

Roster:

Goalkeepers: Yai Fontes, Mauro Goicoechea, Yonatan Irrazabal

Defenders: Martin Caceres, Juan Manuel Diaz, Alejandro Gonzalez, Gary Kagelmacher, Mauricio Prieto, Damian Suarez

Midfielders: Emiliano Alfaro, Elias Figueroa, Enzo Ruiz, Juan Surraco, Luis Suarez, Tabare Viudez

Forwards: Hugo Arismendi, Edinson Cavani, Mathias Cardaccio, Bruno Montelongo, Marcel Roman, Gerardo Vonder Putten

Scouting Report

Strengths: Uruguay is a solid, attacking team with several offensive options, not the least of which is star forward Edinson Cavani. It's not all Latin flair with Uruguay, as coach Gustavo Ferrin's team is also known for its work ethic and tireless running in midfield. The bulk of the Uruguay team headed to Canada played on the squad that won the 2005 South American U-17 title, so chemistry won't be an issue.

Weaknesses: After sitting out the last three tournaments (and coming close to winning it all in the previous two), Ferrin's team is dealing with serious expectations from fans in their soccer-mad country. The pressure could prove to be too much to bear for his young players. Defence is also an issue. While Uruguay has no problem scoring goals, it struggles to prevent other teams from doing so.

Player to watch: Nicknamed El Matador, Edinson Cavani was the leading scorer in the South American qualifying tournament with seven goals and recently signed with Italian club Palermo. Cavani can score with either foot, is strong in the air and is a real workhorse in midfield.

Prognosis: Uruguay is hungry for success, especially after failing to qualify for the last three tournaments. The Celeste have long been considered a notch below the level of South American neighbours Brazil and Argentina, who have won this competition nines times between them, but it's important to keep in mind Uruguay nearly won this tournament in 1997. The draw for this year's tournament was kind to the South Americans – no doubt European powerhouse Spain poses a stiff challenge, but Uruguay should have little problem disposing of tournament first-timers Jordan and Zambia. The South Americans' potent attack and its diligent work in midfield all but guarantees them an appearance in the quarter-finals.

ROAD TO THE U-20 WORLD CUP

2007 qualification route: Uruguay locked up a spot by finishing third in the South American U-20 Championship in Paraguay.

Qualifying record: 9 games played, 4 wins, 3 losses, 2 draws

Goals for: 13 Goals against: 11

Top goal-scorer in qualifying: Edinson Cavani (7)

Qualifying results:

Group play (B)

Jan. 8, 2007 – Uruguay 0, Venezuela 1

Jan. 10, 2007 – Uruguay 2, Ecuador 1

Jan. 12, 2007 – Uruguay 1, Columbia 0

Jan. 16, 2007 – Columbia 3, Uruguay 3

Final stage

Jan. 19, 2007 – Paraguay 1, Uruguay 3

Jan. 21, 2007 – Columbia 0, Uruguay 2

Jan. 23, 2007 – Brazil 3, Uruguay 1

Jan. 25, 2007 – Uruguay 1, Chile 1

Jan. 28, 2007 – Uruguay 0, Argentina 1

U-20 World Cup 1st round matches (all times local)

July 1 vs. Spain in Burnaby, B.C. (Swangard Stadium) at 17:00

July 4 vs. Jordan in Burnaby, B.C. (Swangard Stadium) at 17:00

July 7 vs. Zambia in Victoria, B.C. (Royal Athletic Park) at 14:15

U-20 WORLD CUP HISTORY

Uruguay has never won a U-20 World Cup title, but it has come close, finishing second in 1997, third in 1979 and fourth in 1977 and 1999. Previously, it has appeared in eight U-20 World Cups and has progressed past the group stage each time, except in 1991.

Number of previous U-20 World Cup Appearances: 8

All-time record: 40 games played, 23 wins, 5 draws, 12 losses

Goals for: 56 Goals against: 41

Biggest victory: 3-0 vs. USA in 1981, 3-0 vs. USA in 1997

Biggest defeat: 0-6 vs. Spain in 1991

Hosted the U-20 World Cup: never

1977 – Semifinals (4th place)

1979 – Semifinals (3rd place)

1981 – Quarter-finals

1983 – Quarter-finals

1985 to 1989 – Did not qualify

1991 – First round