Marcelo Bielsa insists there is room for improvement for Uruguay, despite kicking off their Copa America campaign with a 3-1 win over Panama in Florida.
Uruguay's win saw them move level on points with hosts the United States following their victory over Bolivia in the other Group C encounter.
The 15-time winners were rewarded for their fast start when Maximilian Araujo curled home his first international goal in the 16th minute.
However, Panama would grow into the contest as Jose Fajardo and Jose Rodriguez squandered golden opportunities for Thomas Christiansen's side.
And their wastefulness was punished late on as Darwin Nunez, who had missed several chances in the game, settled Uruguay's nerves with a calm finish.
Matias Vina furthered La Celeste's advantage in the first minute of injury-time with a header, only for Michael Amir Murillo to net a late consolation for Panama.
However, Bielsa was quick to temper expectations despite the triumph, insisting his side must improve to secure a record 16th Copa America crown.
The 68-year-old took charge of Uruguay in May last year, beating both Argentina and Brazil in World Cup qualifiers.
"When it comes to Uruguay's aspirations, we will see that and build it match by match," he told reporters.
"My expectation is that each match will increasingly help us to improve on our level. Uruguay has players of a very good level and we need to see if I can build with those players."
Uruguay continue their group campaign against Bolivia in New Jersey on Thursday, before facing the USA at the Arrowhead Stadium next Tuesday.
Berhalter says Weah played into referee's hands as red card costs USA
Gregg Berhalter hit out at a "silly" mistake from Timothy Weah after his red card in a 2-1 defeat to Panama put the United States' place in the Copa America at risk.
Having opened their home campaign with a 2-0 win over Bolivia, the USA slipped to a surprise defeat in their second match in Atlanta, leaving them likely needing a result against Uruguay on matchday three to progress.
The tournament hosts played over 70 minutes with 10 men after Weah lashed out at Amir Murillo, and they were unable to force a late equaliser after Adalberto Carrasquilla also saw red for Panama.
After the game, Berhalter said Weah's actions were costly but also suggested Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton was always poised to make a big decision.
"We talked beforehand about the tendencies of this referee, we knew what he's capable of and to be honest I think we played right into his hands," Berhalter said.
"We made that decision pretty easy. Tim got bumped, he got checked and he reacted.
!He apologised to the group and he understands what a difficult position he put the group in.
"Nonetheless, it happened and as a result we lost this game and we're going to have to move on and figure out how to win the next game.
"The guys dug in and we were close to coming out with a point. But it's a shame, because there was more in this game, and a silly decision by Timmy leaves us short-handed."
Forward Christian Pulisic echoed his coach's sentiments, saying: "Timmy knows the mistake he made.
"That's it. He's going to learn from it. It sucks. It's not the way you want to put your team in that position.
"It hurts. Just the minimum, it's a lapse of judgement. It's just one simple second, you respond to something."
Bielsa wants more from five-star Uruguay after Bolivia rout
Marcelo Bielsa believes Uruguay have more to do to mark themselves out as one of the favourites to win the Copa America, despite crushing Bolivia 5-0 to make it two wins from two games.
Facundo Pellistri, Darwin Nunez, Maximiliano Araujo, Federico Valverde and Rodrigo Bentancur all scored as Bielsa's team ran riot in their second Group C game on Thursday.
It was Uruguay's biggest win in the Copa America since 1959, when they beat Argentina by the same scoreline in the group stage.
Having opened their campaign with a 3-1 win over Panama, they have won their first two matches at a Copa America tournament for the first time since 1995, when they went on to lift the trophy.
A figure of 2.74 expected goals (xG) from 18 shots to Bolivia's 0.06 (four shots) spoke to Uruguay's dominance, but Bielsa feels they still have much to prove.
"Without underestimating the strengths of the two teams we faced, those teams are not among the main competitors for the title," the former Leeds United boss said.
"Respectfully, I think that there are some very significant steps to be taken. Drawing conclusions today would be incorrect.
"Winning two games without facing the best teams in the competition does not allow us to define ourselves as one of the most important teams, that is a long way from being confirmed."
Uruguay now have a three-point cushion at the top of their group after the United States lost 2-1 to Panama, meaning a draw against the hosts in their final match will secure top spot.
Asked how well the players were adapting to his style, Bielsa added: "As for the identification with our way of playing, that is being verified game by game.
"In the previous match we had 15 minutes of the second half with a different performance than the rest of the match, today there was also a similar period where the production was different, for a certain time we stopped creating danger for the opponents."
San Jose Earthquakes v LA Galaxy: Vanney lauds 'tireless worker' Pec
Greg Vanney hailed "tireless worker" Gabriel Pec after the Brazilian continued his excellent form with a goal against Real Salt Lake.
The Galaxy beat RSL 1-0 last time out to join them and their city rivals Los Angeles FC on 37 points at the summit of the Western Conference.
Pec netted his sixth MLS goal of the season in that victory, while the winger has also provided six assists.
And ahead of the Galaxy facing the San Jose Earthquakes, Vanney was full of praise for Pec.
“The guy is a tireless worker. He's a horse," he said, via The Galactic Tribune.
"It's like I think he's played 50 games in each of the last three seasons. So coming here and playing the games that we have and the busy schedule moments, for him, it's nothing.
“We know the quality he has. His ability on the right side to get in on his left foot, and he's had a couple finishes in the last few games on that. When he's on the left, he gets to the end line and he creates problems setting up goals which he did earlier in the week.
"He's finding his ways in this league and in this team, and we are finding ways to continue to get him on the ball in good positions."
Vanney also lauded the Galaxy's defence after they kept a second successive clean sheet.
“That's two in a row. That's not something we have done in probably a long time," he added.
"It's a big thing for our group, as well. If we defend well, we're going to be really, really difficult to beat."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
San Jose Earthquakes - Jeremy Ebobisse
Ebobisse has scored 10 regular-season goals against the Galaxy, four more than against any other team in his career. Only four players in MLS history have netted more goals against the Galaxy in regular-season play.
LA Galaxy - Dejan Joveljic
Pec might be a huge danger, but the Galaxy's main threat in front of goal is Joveljic, who has scored 11 league goals this term.
MATCH PREDICTION: LA GALAXY WIN
The Galaxy have won three straight matches for the first time since a four-match winning streak in August-September 2020. That run ended with a scoreless draw at San Jose.
The Earthquakes suffered their 14th loss in 19 matches this regular season with a 6-2 defeat to LAFC on Saturday.
The only team in the post-shoot-out era to lose 15 times in their first 20 matches of a season was the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 2001 (16).
The Galaxy have won three straight matches against the Earthquakes in all competitions for the first time since August-September 2002. Neither team has recorded four straight outright wins (excluding breakaway shoot-outs) in the 100-match history of the series in all competitions.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
San Jose Earthquakes - 29%
LA Galaxy - 46.5%
Draw - 24.5%
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