I have a great deal of time for CONCACAF’s Gold Cup. I’ll watch, and support, the US Men’s National Team at this year’s tournament, in what might be a second swan song for midfielder-turned-wingback Demarcus Beasley. Last time round, I had the pleasure of attending the Final of the 2013 tournament in Chicago, and given the chance, I’d do it again. However, in terms of men’s world football, it is hard to deny that the summer’s premier international tournament is already taking place: the 2015 Copa America in Chile. Alexis Sanchez, James Rodriguez, Neymar and, oh yeah, Lionel Messi; the star power is undeniable.
With the first round of group fixtures in the books, there’s still all to play for in the coming week. Mexico, an invited team looking to put the struggles of 2013 – 2014 behind them, was frustrated by a draw with Bolivia in their first match. Perhaps even more surprising, despite the magnitude of the names on the team sheet, Argentina could also only manage a draw in their opening game against Paraguay. And while Chile was able to dispatch Ecuador 2-0 in the tournament’s curtain raiser, the home fans will be looking for a more convincing performance from the Chileans. With the pivotal second group matches at hand, we’ll take a look at three premier matchups in the coming days, games that may serve as harbingers of what’s to come in the knockout rounds.
Chile v. Mexico, 6/15 7:30 PM Eastern
Chile had pressure aplenty in the first half against Ecuador last week, but it took a penalty kick in the second to break the deadlock, and while they still managed to record a 2-0 win, the tournament hosts will want a more convincing performance when they match up against Mexico tonight. Alexis Sanchez was all over the place, nearly scoring within the opening quarter of an hour, but as dangerous as he looked he’ll still be disappointed not to have found the back of the net.
Mexico, likewise, are coming off a frustrating opener—but without as favorable a result. The 0-0 draw against Bolivia earned the invitees a point, but considering El Tri’s opposition was ranked only 89th in the world, no Mexican football fan will be thrilled by the result. With Captain Rafael Marquez ruled out for the remainder of the group stage due to a hamstring injury, the pressure is on to step up in his absence. Mexico will, no doubt, fight tooth and nail to earn at least a point, giving themselves a chance to progress with a win over Ecuador in their final match; keeping a clean sheet against Chile and Alexis Sanchez, however, will likely prove an even taller task.
Argentina v. Uruguay, 6/16 7:30 Eastern
If Mexico supporters are concerned that the woes of the last two years may be coming back to haunt them, then Argentina fans are surely having even more vivid, disconcerting flash backs to four years ago, when their nation hosted the previous Copa America, and their star-studded side failed to lift the trophy. Drawing 2-2 against Paraguay in a match that Messi described as “maddening,” the Argentines desperately need a win against Uruguay, whom they trail by two points in the group. But Argentina’s dropped points last week are far from the only reason to highlight this match on your calendar. Four years ago, with Argentina hosting the previous Copa America, it was Uruguay who shocked the host nation, eliminating Argentina on penalty kicks in the quarterfinal (and, as Tevez was the only player not to score his PK, effectively pushing him out of the national team for the next several years).
Even though Uruguay are without Luis Suarez, banned from international fixtures after biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini, their lineup—including PSG’s Edinson Cavani and Atletico Madrid’s Diego Godin—is still quite formidable. Does Argentina have the stronger side? Absolutely. But with Uruguay holding the advantage in the group, Argentina will need to make that quality show on the scoresheet. Will the Argentines’ stronger squad prevail? Will their tempers and bitter memories of four years ago flare up and get the better of them? Will Uruguay produce some magic to once again put Argentina’s progression through the tournament in danger? Whatever the result, the match poses an array of interesting questions—and a great deal of import as to who will go through, and who will falter, in Group B.
Brazil v. Colombia, 6/17 8:00 Eastern
Arguably the premier fixture of the group stage comes on Wednesday night, as Neymar and Brazil take on James Rodriguez and Colombia. Radamel Falcao, who missed the 2014 World Cup due to injury, will no doubt be hungry for his chance to represent Colombia in the Copa America this summer. Although Falcao had a lackluster season on loan at Manchester United, the Colombians will no doubt be thrilled to have the striker back within their ranks this summer—and they will certainly need strike power if they’re to take down Brazil. Coming off a shocking 1-0 defeat to Venezuela, Colombia desperately need a result against Brazil if they are to be confident of their chances to reach the knockout rounds.
As with Argentina and Uruguay, Brazil would seem to hold a clear advantage on paper. Phillippe Coutinho, Fernandinho, Neymar, David Luiz, the Brazilian side is, as ever, packed with quality. But with James Rodriguez and Falcao leading the attack, and with goalkeeper David Ospina coming off a strong season which saw him secure the #1 slot in goal for Arsenal in the Premier League, the Colombians will cut a formidable figure when the two teams take the field on Wednesday. If James Rodriguez can reproduce his best from the World Cup last summer, and if Falcao can find the form he enjoyed at Monaco, then Colombia has a solid chance to exact revenge against Brazil, who knocked the Colombians out of last year’s World Cup in the quarterfinals.