Gallesecuts out Altidore’s cross from the goal line
Photo: US Soccer

Group B

Schedule:  Haiti(6/4, CenturyLink Field Seattle, WA), Ecuador (6/08, University of Phoenix, Glendale, AZ), and Brazil(6/12, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA)

Head Coach: Ricardo Gareca

Best previous finish in Copa America: Champions (1939 and 1975)

Players to keep an eye on:  GK Pedro Gallese (Juan Aurich), DEF Alberto Rodriguez (Sporting Cristal), DEF Christian Ramos (Juan Aurich), MID Renado Tapia (Feyernoord), MID  Christian Cueva (Sao Paulo), and FWD Paolo Guerrero (Flamengo)

Outlook: There are two types of clubs that are entering into this year’s Copa America: those that are coming to win the tournament and those that are using it as a chance to build for the World Cup. Count Peru in the group that are building for Russia. Without the likes of Carlos Zambrano, Carlos Ascues, and Claudio Pizarro Peru coach Ricardo Gareca will have the chance to look at Peru’s depth in Group B.

That is not necessarily a bad thing for Peru and their supporters. Gareca has brought in an intriguing set of young and untested club players ready to make their mark.  Alberto Rodriguez, Renzo Revoredo, Luis Abram, and Jair Cespedes feature for Sporting Cristal in Peru and have formed a difficult defense that has given up just 16 goals in the Torneo Descentralizado. Of concern though should be their form in the Copa Libertadores which saw the same side cough up 11 goals against Atletico Nacional, Penarol, and Huracan.

The big question for this side will be if Tapia can lead this club at just 20 years old. He started to break through into the Feyernoord starting eleven at the end of the Eredivisie after signing a major contract with the club in January. Looking at his work with FC Twente, for whom he made 14 appearances in 2015-2016, Tapia has pace and seems very comfortable moving the ball down the center of the pitch.

If Tapia can find his footing in his first big international test he will find an excellent partner in the attack with Paolo Guerrero. Guerrero had a fantastic 2015 Copa America finishing tied with Eduardo Vargas of Chile as the tournament’s top scorer. The former Bayern Munich attacker hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire with Flamengo (just three goals in 15 matches). But as evidenced by his goal in Peru’s 2-2 draw against Venezuela in March his form for country has not gone away.

With the age of this roster and the limited number of veteran players Gareca will need the likes of Rodriguez and Guerrero to step up. Even then success will be difficult for Peru against the likes of Brazil and a very deadly Ecuador. If the pressure is too much for Tapia and the young defensive line it may be a short tournament for Peru.