The Copa America Centenario has been a thrilling tournament thus far. As we head to the semifinals starting on Tuesday, each of the last four come into this stage with something to prove not only to themselves, but to the soccer world. So let’s evaluate the last four.
USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann opted to replace suspended local boy DeAndre Yedlin, out with red card suspesion, with natural center back Matt Besler. This was first major personnel shift for the Americans in the tournament so far.
UNITED STATES: Semifinals were the goal for this US team. That goal seemed quite distant after an uneven start to World Cup qualifying and a opening Copa loss to Colombia. In the match against Costa Rica at Soldier Field, Jurgen Klinsmann surprisingly went with an unchanged lineup, but the effort and the atmosphere was more electric and both have carried the US to the last four after a pair of gritty performances against Paraguay and Ecuador.
They come into the semifinals hoping to prove that they can not only compete with the best in the world, but can also beat them on their day. In addition to finding their own “Lionel Messi,” one of the pieces missing to the puzzle of the US becoming a true soccer power is beating the likes of Argentina, Brazil, Italy, and Germany and doing so on a more consistent basis outside of friendlies. A win here will give the men some adulation that the US Women have had for years and more so after the final whistle at BC Place last year. For the USA, it’s time to prove that they can not only hang with the best, but beat them as well.
The half continued with Argentina dominating all aspects of the game. They added an insurance goal in the 32nd minute. After circulating the ball throughout the box, Lavezzi controlled the ball down who half shoot half passed it to Victor Cuesta who redirected it in for what would be the final goal of the night
ARGENTINA: The Albiceleste came in as one of the favorites in this Copa and have lived up to the billing, thus far. Lionel Messi is slowly, but surely coming into form at the right time and the fans who have paid to come see him play once he got on the pitch have not been disappointed. I often rank Messi ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo as he is able to win more games for Argentina on his own than Ronaldo can for Portugal. It helps that Messi has a better support cast such as Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, and Erik Lamela.
It’s hard to believe that Argentina has not won a major tournament since the 1993 Copa America. The last two years have seen them collect runners-up medals in the World Cup in 2014 and at last year’s Copa in Chile. There have been gold medals at the Olympics and titles at Under-20 level, but three of the last four Copas saw the Argentines fall at final hurdle. For Argentina and for Lionel Messi, it’s time to prove that they can win a major tournament again and for Messi, time to prove he can win for country just as he has for FC Barcelona.
Santa Clara, CA — USA vs. Colombia; COPA America
COLOMBIA: The last time Los Cafeteros won a major tournament was the 2001 Copa America. The years before that saw huge disappointment while the years after that saw them miss the next three World Cups. In 2014, they were quarterfinalists in Brazil thanks in large part to James Rodriguez. Colombia has also had to persist to get through in this year’s Copa. After a relatively easy win over the USA, they had to hold on against Paraguay and then were pegged back by Costa Rica. Then, they required penalties to get by Peru.
I forgot to mention one thing about that 2001 Copa, Argentina withdrew due to the security issues in Colombia at the time. Colombia won the 2001 Copa over Mexico in the Final. There will always be a bit of an asterisk to that Copa, so it’s time to prove that they can win a major tournament in a fully-involved major tournament. The last time a team not named Brazil or Argentina won the Copa outside their home country was Uruguay when they won it in Argentina in 1987.
Santa Clara, CA — Argentina vs. Chile; COPA America
CHILE: After winning the Copa America for the first time last year on home soil, their “reward” was to defend it this year in the USA. After an opening loss to Argentina, La Roja have surged ahead with wins over Bolivia and Panama, and then produced the result of the tournament with a 7-0 hiding of a Mexico side that many considered a favorite in this tournament. Juan Antonio Pizzi has the Chileans playing their best soccer right now, but will have to make do without Arturo Vidal of Bayern Munich on Wednesday at Soldier Field.
Prior to last year’s triumph, the last time Chile were anywhere close to a title were a pair of runners-up medals in the 1979 and 1987 Copas and a third place in the 1962 World Cup. Chile is seen as an up-and-coming team right now and were only penalties away from knocking out Brazil in the second round in 2014. The penalties went the right way in Santiago last year over Argentina to end their title drought. This year for Chile, it’s time to prove that they can defend their title and prove worthy of their #5 FIFA Ranking like they did last Saturday in Santa Clara.
All four teams come in with something to prove. Whether it’s to hang with the best, go back on top, stay on top, or win when all of the best are present; it promises to be a thrilling last few chapters in this special tournament.
