Page 67 - Soccer360 Issue 106

COPA AMERICA 2024
GROUP STAGE
June 20 - July 2
REST DAY
July 3
QUARTER FINALS July 4 - July 6
REST DAYS
July 7 - July 8
SEMI FINALS
July 9 - July 10
REST DAYS
July 11 - July 12
THIRD PLACE PLAY-OFF July 13
FINALS
July 14
COPA AMERICA 2024 MASCOT
COPA AMERICA MATCH BALL
COPA AMERICA TROPHY
‘BRAZIL BOASTS
IMMENSE
TALENT
ACROSS THE
ROSTER, LED
BYPLAYERS
The greatest chance for a dark horse may reside in Group B. On paper, Mexico seems like a shoo-in for the knockout rounds given that they just made the CONCACAF Nations League final and will have an
army of supporters with them throughout the tournament. But both Ecuador and Venezuela are also coming into this tournament on a hot streak, with each
side currently in prime position to qualify
for 2026. Venezuela has already shown in qualification that they can go into difficult situations and earn results, having drawn with Brazil and Peru on the road this cycle. Ecuador meanwhile earned strong victories over Uruguay and took Argentina to the limit in a 1-0 defeat in Buenos Aires. Jamaica rounded out the group, looking to wipe
the bad taste out of losing to the United States after leading for 88 minutes in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals. Their work will be that much harder if
the Jamaican Football Federation cannot resolve their issues with Leon Bailey of Aston Villa, who sat out the Nations League. After winning the Nations League, the United States look like they might do
some damage in the Copa America. Their biggest question, as it has been since
2018 is who will be starting at the striker position. Forward Haji Wright is coming
off a memorable season at Coventry but
still seems to have his doubters within the Federation. There are also fresh questions about right-back with Sergino Dest out for the Copa after sustaining a serious knee injury at PSV. While Bolivia and Panama may surprise some, the US should get past them at home.
What will be interesting to see is how they fare against Uruguay in their Group C finale. After bowing out of the Group Stage of
the 2022 World Cup, La Celeste has come out of the gates swinging during this cycle. They beat both Argentina and Brazil at home while grinding out a 2-2 draw against Colombia. Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez has been particularly on point, scoring five goals.
Group D rounds out the first round and
LIKE VINI JR.,
CASEMIRO, AND
RODRYGO.’
should feature some cracking matches with Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, and Costa Rica doing battle. On paper, Brazil should easily advance but they have had a rocky start to World Cup Qualification, losing three in a row to end 2023. 2024 has been a bit more forgiving, with Selecao earning a friendly victory over England and coming twice to pull off a 3-3 draw with Spain. Their young attacking corps of Rodrygo, Endrick, and Vinicius Jr. will certainly be worth keeping
an eye on.
Colombia will certainly make them work
for all three points on July 2nd on matchday three. They haven’t lost a
match since February 2022, a streak that spans well over two years and twenty games. Forward Luis Diaz
netted a brace in their 2-1 win over Brazil back in November and will be called upon again
to potentially give Colombia their first Copa crown since 2001.The Copa America
has and always will be an important precursor for the World Cup. With teams looking to get as much tournament experience as possible to prepare for
World Cup qualification (or in the case of Canada, Mexico, and the United States the competition itself). With a clear-cut favorite or not, this summer’s Copa America should
make for an exciting tournament to relish.
SOCCER360 SUMMER 2024 65
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