Page 70 - Soccer360 Issue 106

GROUP B FIXTURES MACTH DAY 1:
ECUADOR VS VENEZUELA JUNE 22 6:OOPM EST MEXICO VS JAMAICA JUNE 22 9:OOPM EST
GROUP B - COPA AMERICA 2024
MEXICO
COPA AMERICA APPEARANCES: 11
Mexico is poised for a turnaround after their disappointing exit in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup—the first such early exit since 1978. Under the guidance of new manager Jaime Lozano, Mexico looks to reignite its attack with talents like Santiago Gimenez, Hirving Lozano, and Henry Martin, with Edson Alvarez fortifying the midfield. As the non-CONMEBOL team with the most extensive history in the CONMEBOL Copa América, Mexico is set to make its eleventh appearance. The team has reached the finals twice, the only team from another confederation to do so. Their debut in 1993 featured legends like Hugo Sánchez and Jorge Campos, reaching the final, and they repeated this feat in 2001 in Colombia, showcasing their longstanding competitive presence on the South American stage.
GROUP B FIXTURES MACTH DAY 2:
ECUADOR VS JAMAICA JUNE 26 6:00PM EST VENEZUELA VS MEXICO JUNE 26 9:00PM EST
COPA CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0
ECUADOR
Ecuador’s journey in the CONMEBOL Copa América dates back to its first participation in 1939 in Peru, marking 2024 as their
30th appearance in the oldest continental national team tournament. Historically, Ecuador hosted the tournament in 1947, 1959, and 1993, achieving their best results in the latter two editions by finishing fourth. Notable players like Alex Aguinaga, Alberto Spencer, Antonio Valencia, and Agustín Delgado have donned the Ecuadorian jersey, contributing to its storied past. Today, Ecuador is poised to make a significant impact, bolstered by high-end talents such as Moises Caicedo, now with Chelsea, and Pervis Estupinan, who plays for Brighton. Despite their frequent participation, reaching the final has eluded La Tri, a milestone they are eager to achieve.
68 SOCCER360 SUMMER 2024
FIFA RANKING HISTORY
CURRENT 14 (April 2024) HIGHEST 4 (June 2006) LOWEST 40 (July 2015)
EDSON ALVAREZ
Will look to make
TEAM BREAKDOWN
COACH: Jaime Lozano
NICKNAME: El Tri, El Tricolor
BEST TOURNAMENT RESULT: Runners-up, X2 STAR MAN: Edson Alvarez (West Ham)
ON THE RISE: Santiago Gimenez (Feyenoord)
an impact in his
first ever Copa
America
TEAM BREAKDOWN
COACH: Felix Sanchez
NICKNAME: La Tri
BEST TOURNAMENT RESULT: Fourth Place STAR MAN: Moises Caicedo (Chelsea)
ON THE RISE: Pervis Estupinan (Brighton)
FIFA RANKING HISTORY
CURRENT 31 (April 2024) HIGHEST 10 (June 2013) LOWEST 17 (November 2017)
COPA AMERICA APPEARANCES: 30 COPA CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0
MOISES CAICEDO
After an impressive
World Cup, Moises
looks to continue
his performance.