Excitement is already building around the Copa America Centenario this summer.
The 16 participating nations found out their group opponents following the Copa America draw at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.
The historic South American tournament is scheduled to feature some of the biggest stars in world soccer including Neymar, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and many more. Three games of the continental tournament are slated to take place at the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
The five group games that I’m looking forward to the most are below:
MEXICO vs. JAMAICA ON JUNE 9 AT THE ROSE BOWL
Mexico may not be a tournament favorite, but there may be as much excitement surrounding
El Tri
as any other tournament participant.
Selected in Group C alongside Uruguay, Jamaica, and Venezuela, Mexico supporters will expected their side to advance to the knockout stages. Mexico will take on CONCACAF rivals Jamaica in their second group stage match on June 9 at the Rose Bowl, which will follow their opening game with favorites Uruguay four days earlier.
El Tri always draws large numbers to the Rose Bowl and expect another sell-out when they take on the Reggae Boyz.
BRAZIL vs. HAITI ON JUNE 8 AT THE CITRUS BOWL
Not a matchup of two heavyweights, but Brazil will be expected to put up plenty of goals on relative CONCACAF minnows Haiti when the two teams meet on June 8 in Orlando.
Brazil will be expected to make a deep run in this summer’s tournament, but were handed a tough Group draw that will pit them against Ecuador, Peru, and the Haitians in Group B. With two tough South American opponents in their group, the Brazilians will need a huge win against the Caribbean nation to assure that they hold the tiebreakers against their opposition.
If the Caribbean underdogs can manage to compete with the five-time World Cup champions, the match may prove to be one of the most inspiring stories of the entire tournament.
UNITED STATES vs. COLOMBIA ON JUNE 3 AT LEVI’S STADIUM
Copa America opens on June 3 when the United States take on 2014 FIFA World Cup darlings Colombia at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Jurgen Klinsmann’s USMNT were drawn into the dreaded “Group of Death” last Sunday that will see the Americans take on Colombia, Paraguay, and Costa Rica. Boasting a talented roster that includes Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez, the Colombians will head into the tournament opener expecting a win against the home side, which has underperformed for much of the last year.
A draw or a win in their opener against Los Cafeteros will put the Americans in good straits to advance from the group heading into their remaining matches against Costa Rica and Paraguay.
BRAZIL vs. ECUADOR ON JUNE 4 AT THE ROSE BOWL
Southern California residents will get their first taste of the Copa America on June 4 when Neymar and Brazil take on Ecuador at the Rose Bowl.
Brazil are expected to bring a full complement of stars to the Copa America this summer including the FC Barcelona ace, as well as Chelsea FC’s Oscar, and potentially Orlando City playmaker Kaká. This summer’s match will be Brazil’s first game in Pasadena since the Selecao won the 1994 World Cup at the historic venue.
The Brazilians may have the star names but Ecuador has solidified themselves as the most in-form South American team heading into the tournament with four victories in 2018 World Cup qualifying.
ARGENTINA vs. CHILE ON JUNE 6 AT LEVI’S STADIUM
Sparks will fly on June 6 when Argentina take on Chile in a rematch of the 2015 Copa America Final at Levi’s Stadium.
At the previous edition of the South American tournament, host nation Chile lifted the Copa America title against La Albiceleste after a thrilling penalty kick shootout. When the two teams meet in the San Francisco Bay Area, the excitement will be palpable when Lionel Messi’s Argentina faces off against a Chile squad led by the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal.
Both teams are expected to challenge for the tournament title which will only add to the stakes when they face off for the Group D lead.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at www.LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
