Matías González
Uruguay came into the World Cup in a turbulent environment; Obdulio Varela even reported that the players were close to not going to Brazil, in protest against reprisals by leaders against the recent strike. In addition, coach Juan López had been chosen just a month before the tournament, after Celeste Olímpica got bad results against the Brazilians themselves, which, in addition to the defeats for the Copa Rio Branco, also included a defeat for Brazil in Pelotas and, in Montevideo, two draws against Fluminense; Uruguayan players found themselves out of shape after two months of inactivity. Before López chose the Uruguayan Football Association, Peñarol even vetoed the call up of its players: the AUF despised the coach of the aurinegra team, the Hungarian Emérico Hirschl, desired by the fans and the media. With little time to put the team together, López called exactly the players who played in the Copa Rio Branco weeks before the world cup.