Group D
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Panama
Argentina
Certainly my pick to win the competition, Argentina come into the United States desperate to hoist trophy. Even the soft spoken Lionel Messi was echoed my sentiments and said his country hasn't win a major competition in years and needs to right to the ship. No one should ever feel entitled. People get ahead on graft, handwork, creativity and flat out good luck. If Argentina is going to win this tournament they are going to need a combination of at least three out of the four things because clearly coming in on their reputation alone in big tournaments haven't worked for them. Beaten finalist in both the 2014 World Cup and 2015 Copa America. The Argentines could had used a bag full of dumb luck to grab at least one of the titles. Who coach Gerardo Martino picks for this competition don't really matter because I believe a third tier Argentina player is as good as most first rate players in most other countries. The Patagonians are a talented bunch they just need some luck. Which is insane seeing this guy Martino can call on Sergio Agüero, Gonzalo Higuaín, Ángel Di María and Lionel Messi at any given time. He just needs a four leaf clover to get them over the hill.
Key Man- Lionel Messi was a doubt for the tournament due to injury and also for legal matters as he is currently fighting tax evasion allegations in Spain. Messi himself has come out and said he will play this summer in America. Not like Argentina would miss him but having the best player in the world playing for you wouldn't hurt in their noble quest either.
Bolivia
Having to come done to sea level is never fun for Bolivia. In the capital La Paz they get to enjoy the comforts of home like vivid support, familiar surroundings and most importantly thin air and altitude. The Bolivians play their football high in the clouds and the effect can leave opponents literally gasping for air. It's a definite advantage and they have benefited it from the past. Truth is they need all the help they can get. Bolivia isn't the best but coach Julio César Baldivieso will try to inspire dreams of grandeur. Surprisingly in last year's Copa in Chile the Andeans came second in group play behind the host and edged out both Ecuador and a weakened Mexico. I don't have much in the way to say on Bolivia and her players they're obscure. This is a nation who has only made it to three World Cups the last coming in 1994 when it was ironically held in the United States. Bolivia isn't blessed with a heap of talent most of their players play in their domestic league. A strong indicator of the level of the national team. Whatever the case Bolivia will just look on to improve their overall play and who knows it could lead to some shock performances at this event.
Key Man- I'm really clutching at straws trying to pick the crucial man for Bolivia. After looking over some decent stats I've landed on the experienced Juan Carlos Arce. The most likely goal getter and Lord knows they need them. The forward needs to improve though in order for "La Verde," to flourish.
Chile
They are the reigning Copa America champions after scooping the title last year on home soil when they hosted the event. The Chileans defeated heavily favored Argentina to claim their first ever South American Championship. The Chileans look good and have to be buzzing right now yet I don't feel confident in their ability to hoist the cup this term. It's not like "La Roja," isn't good I just believe having home advantage last time allowed them to steamroll the competition. Mexico, Colombia, Argentina and Brazil are more likely to have the Ticker tape parade at the end than them. Chile's high pressing aggressive, quick game is fun to watch and I allude to this in my preview of them at Copa America 2015. That fun however can have it's limits. Last year the Chileans played at home in familiar conditions, in the South American winter in cooler temperatures. They won't have that coming up north to the US. It's summer time and the temperatures do vary from state to state. Their games are in sunny California and in the warming northeast states of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. According to the old sports cliché styles make matches. Chile's up tempo running game may not work well in heat but they often play in a warm South America anyway so who knows. Juan Antonio Pizzi took over from the widely popular Jorge Sampaoli earlier this year maybe the new man has changed or tweaked Chile's way of play. Whatever the case maybe he needs to upstage his predecessor and quickly. He brought a good squad along to try to do it. Barcelona's Claudio Bravo is in goal, Inter's Gary Medel puts in wonderful defensive displays, Bayern Munich's Arturo Vidal does the same and a lot more and Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez does the leg work up front. Chile is dangerous but I see bigger guns at this Copa and I fear they may get their wings clipped.
Key Man- So much is focused on Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal and we definitely know they will look perky in offense. However I've gone for Claudio Bravo as Chile's shining light in this tournament. Coming up against Barcelona team mate Lionel Messi when he faces Argentina will be a pivotal match even so early. Beyond that no doubt he will come across hard hitting attackers and if Chile are to retain the Copa he'll need to be bang in form. The goals will come for them but can Chile stop them? I think Bravo will.
Panama
Time to get a little sentimental now! My grandma is from Panama she can't speak a lick of Spanish. Neither can I but I'm still loyal to the country. I genuinely want them to do well even though I'm not Panamanian myself. Probably the weakest of the group Panama has to be realistic. Their first match against Bolivia has to be earmark as a potential win because the following games against Argentina and Chile will be hard on them. If somehow they can manage a point against Chile and try not to yield too many goals against Argentina they may have a minuscule chance of advancing to the knockout round. Unlike their CONCACAF rivals Mexico and Jamaica they weren't invited to last year's Copa America in Chile so they solely had the Gold Cup to focus on in the previous summer. A tournament in which they finished strong coming in third place being barred from the finals by eventual winners Mexico. I don't know what the Panamanians are looking for at this tournament because clearly they are outclassed here. Bolivia may not be the best but they do play in a tough qualifying zone in CONMEBOL and that has to count for something. Panama has to use this tournament as a gauge to see where they're at. Getting beat up by USA and Mexico every year won't teach them anything but getting exposed to teams like Argentina and Chile will. This will be a lesson for them to embrace going forward so they can take that next step in their evolution. "Los Canaleros," have Hernán Gómez at the helm and the Colombian is calling upon the combined experience of defender and captain Felipe Baloy, midfielder Alberto Quintero and striker Blas Pérez to see him through this tournament. Some notable omissions are defender Roberto Chen and long serving goalkeeper Jaime Penedo. No matter though whoever Gómez decides to chuck out there they need to perform and do so with a fair amount of pride because I have a nasty feeling it's going to be hard going for them.
Key Man- I like Alberto Quintero's style of play. He a direct winger who has a few dribbles in him. The wide man links up well with Blas Pérez and if the two combine who knows, Panama may have something.
Predictions- Argentina 1st, Chile 2nd, Bolivia 3rd, Panama 4th. Argentina will seek revenge to their Copa America loss to Chile so look for a win for Messi and crew. Chile are way too good for Bolivia and Panama but as mentioned they aren't going to better the Argentinians. Bolivia maybe bland but they have enough in the respiratory tank to out last Panama. As for the Central Americans this will merely be a proving ground I don't expect them to really challenge.
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