There will not be any pressure on the USMNT Tuesday.
If they win, this is their moment. If they lose, they become part of Argentina's moment. That is a half-decent consolation prize.
Saying there's pressure on the USMNT against Argentina is like saying there is pressure on the bull in a bullfight. The bull is going to die anyway. It is up to the matador to perform.
Lionel Messi's name is Lionel Messi. His name is not Leonardo Messi. This much we know for certain.
USA Today, however, may not be as certain as we are.
Leonardo Messi, Argentina stand in way of historic run by U.S. soccer at Copa America. https://t.co/b63eXjVwUg pic.twitter.com/NZt8a4pH7c
Lionel Messi does it again for Argentina. His glory run at these Copa America games continued on Saturday night as he played a beautiful ball to set up Higuain for Argentina's first goal of the night. What a ball and what a finish by Higuain who has been brilliant. As soon as Messi stepped on the field in Argentina's third group play match, the level of play ramped up. The now 'scruffy' veteran has time and time again shown people why he is one of the greatest with his recent performances.
There are established fan bases across America that all self proclaim themselves "greatest fans in America" like Red Sox Nation, the Cameron Crazies, Big Blue Nation, the Dawg Pound, the list is long and full of a lot of great fans. But there is a "new" kid in town that I feel is taking the nation by storm, and they call themselves the American Outlaws.
By the 60th minute, it was 5-0 to Chile, and Mexico were playing for pride.
Actually, they weren't even playing for that. They still had pride. They just didn't have anything to show for it. Chile dismantled them in the midfield in the first half for two goals and pounced on dumb mistakes in the second half.
Mexico simply weren't up to it Saturday, putting on one of those performances where you can't point the finger at any one player or decision because you have to point the finger at everyone and everything.
Argentina were heavy favorites against Venezuela Saturday, and they showed why in their play. La Albiceleste dominated and won 4-1.
Before the game, we couldn't help but feel this game might get ugly, and it did, because Argentina are really good, and they have the best player in the world.
The Copa America Centenario has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride. During the group stage, we have seen the fall of two national teams who were considered top challengers for the title, and we've witnessed the rise of a pair that many people wouldn’t have put their money on to win it all before the tournament started.
Tops:
Argentina
Arguably the only team to live up to its pre-tournament expectations, Argentina seems to be on track to finally win a major title.
The USMNT will dispute Jermaine Jones' red card, the US Soccer Federation announced on Twitter earlier today.
An official protest has been filed against the cards issued to Jermaine Jones and Bobby Wood in #USAvECU
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) June 17, 2016
I have a lot of good memories from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, not that I was there. I had Tuesdays off back then, and so for two of the Tuesdays between June 12 and July 13 2014, I drank from noon until two in the morning. I danced the night away that night, among other things, and I like to think that, somehow, my moves were inspired by Colombia’s brilliant goal celebrations from that tournament. There is no way in actuality that they were, but hey, the spirit was there.
Alexis Sanchez unleashed a vicious strike in the 50th minute to double Chile's lead over Panama in the Copa Americas. An absolute perfect hit to say the least that left the goalkeeper or any aspect of human life no chance at reacting that fast. Worth a few watches and a note to watch Chile's next game because you never know when Alexis will do it again. Well done son. Have a day!
