Copa America: Four teams flying under the radar
There are a handful of teams that will take up the majority of the Copa America conversation. However, there’s another set of squads looking to spring the surprise.
Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Uruguay, these are teams most expect to win it all at the end of the month. The last time a non-power won Copa America was Colombia in 2001 and Paraguay in 1979. Since that late 70’s tournament Uruguay has won four titles, Brazil with five and Argentina with two.
There are four more teams to watch for that could surprise us all and take the trophy.
United States
As much as many would like to see the USMNT on the favorites list, the reality is this team hasn’t given us any reason to believe they can advance out of the group stage (although I think they will) and string together three straight wins over very good teams.
Jurgen Klinsmann has the challenge of mixing veterans with youth to spark some confidence that hasn’t been seen since the 2014 World Cup. The last year has been dismal, being eliminated in the Gold Cup semis against Jamaica, losing to Mexico in the Confederations Cup playoff and facing a real possibility of being ousted in World Cup qualifying against Guatemala. Klinsmann will have to showcase his young talent with Bobby Wood and Christian Pulisic in order to give them a chance.
Jamaica
This is probably the most over reaching choice on this list, but the Reggae Boyz have shown they won’t be a pushover in this tournament. It’s been an up and down last 10 months, Giles Barnes and his teammates made it all the way to the Gold Cup final in 2015 surprising the United States. Then things took a turn and face the challenge of needing to win their final two World Cup qualifying matches later this year to potentially advance to the Hexogonal.
Jamaica has participated in Copa America before, just last year. Although they lost all three matches 1-0 they proved they can hang with the likes of Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. Jamaica is on a streak already marking a victory over Chile just a few days ago.
Ecuador
La Amarilla is without a doubt the most talked about team in this group. With Enner and Antonio Valencia leading the way, Ecuador looks to be a team that can make a run to the title. Despite their loss in a friendly to the U.S. recently, Ecuador is 7-1-1 including four straight wins in World Cup qualifying.
Look for Ecuador to continue its hot streak, their group sets up well with a depleted Brazil team, a Peru side that we’re not sure how it will perform and Caribbean side Haiti.
Costa Rica
Los Ticos were one of the biggest stories in the 2014 World Cup advancing all the way to the quarterfinals. That run has fueled a confident group to be on the brink of winning their World Cup qualifying group this time around.
Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz are the two anchors to this team’s success, they have combined for 32 goals in their international careers which will be much-needed against the U.S, Paraguay and Colombia.