Colombia and Paraguay bring with them the soft air of South America and a match that is decades old. These two teams have faced each other 42 times in the course of three generations. It is a soccer display of two different faces of the same continent: the warm Ocean-faring Colombia against the landlocked Paraguay. Two countries as united in their love for soccer as the rest of South America.
A lot was said in the buildup to Tuesday night’s United States versus Costa Rica Copa America group match. For the USA, the stakes were simple enough: win or go stay home. The USA triumphantly answered any questions about their ability to make an impact in this tournament, thrashing the world’s 23rd ranked side 4-0.
Let there be no doubt about it, Mexico’s 3-1 win over Uruguay to open up their Copa America campaign showed Mexico has what it takes to win the competition. The team impressed all around, but there are 6 players we believe will be the most integral to the team’s success.
The tension is rising just before the rematch of last year's Copa America final. Argentina and Chile are on the field and the crowd is ready and the players are ready and here comes the national anthem of Chile and everybody's very proud of their country and singing along and—
MR. WORLDWIDE.
OK, that's weird, but no matter we'll just keep singing nice things about Chile and everything will go back to normal—
I SET THE WORLD ON FIRE.
As the final whistle blew on Saturday's 0-0 draw between the Brazil National Team and Ecuador, boos began to ring down from fans all around the Rose Bowl. Brazil had been largely unimpressive and ineffective, punctuated only by occasional moments of magic that failed to produce anything of substance. For anyone hoping that Brazil could shake off the shackles of the 2014 World Cup and regain their spot at the top of world football, it was a depressing dose of reality.
Mexico's 3-1 victory over Uruguay Sunday can objectively be called a triumph, and leaves Mexico in full control of their destiny in regards to reaching the Copa America Centenario group stage. The game was not an unequivocal triumph, however, as El Tri lost their sometimes-captain and some would argue best player, Andres Guardado, to a red card.
Guardado will be suspended for Thursday's clash against Jamaica, which raises the question: what are Mexico to do in El Principito's absence?
The group stage clash between the finalists at the 2015 Copa America, Chila and Argentina, ended in favor of Argentina this time, and without the best player in the world. La Albiceleste prevailed 2-1 over the side that defeated them in penalties last year even though reigning Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi remained on the bench with a hamstring injury.
Even though they didn't have Messi, Argentina did have Angel di Maria, which was enough. He first put Argentina ahead by beating Claudio Bravo to the near post on the counter.
Neymar Jr. is both the Brazil National Team's best player and its captain, but the 24-year-old striker isn't playing in the biggest senior soccer tournament in America this summer. Because Brazil are saving him for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, he's watching it from the sidelines.
The Selecao striker watched the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Willian draw with Ecuador in their first match in the Copa America Centenario while accompanied by the likes of Justin Bieber, Jamie Foxx and Lewis Hamilton.
Sunday evening, Mexico vs. Uruguay was about to kick off. The Arizona sun was gently lowering in the sky while the Uruguay National Anthem and the Mexico National Anthem were played and everyone sang and was focused on the moment, which was a moment great games are built upon.
They were focused, at least, until the Uruguay anthem was played. Because it wasn't the Uruguay National Anthem. It was the Chile National Anthem.
Lionel Messi will not play in Argentina's Copa America Centenario opener against Chile, according to a report from AS. Messi sustained a back injury during Argentina's warmup game against Honduras, and it appears that the Chile match comes too soon for the Barcelona star.