Group D is on the menu for the afternoon and I know guys are hankering and hungering for my crackpot analysis of this once in a life time competition the Copa América Centenarío. I'm just on time because this post will go out on the day before this group commences. All in all I've ran out of opening commentary so I'll definitely be winging it for these next to couple of lines. The combatants we have in this group are; Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Panama. An odd cluster of teams sort of like Group B of this competition that comprises of Haiti, Brazil, Peru and Ecuador. It's almost like the same scenario, you have a clear favorite (Argentina/Brazil). A nearly team (Chile/Peru). Middling teams (Ecuador/Bolivia). Then you have struggling hopefuls (Panama/Haiti). It sucks that the teams I highlighted to do badly come from my beloved CONCACAF but this is how the football gods has deemed it. I'm rambling so without further ado here is the Copa América Centenarío's final group. 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.
With summer fast approaching here in the Northern Hemisphere that only means one thing. Unfortunately the demise of the European football season. Titles are being wrapped up, the losers are being sucked into the abyss, literally, just ask Parma and frankly the only thing to look forward to is the transfer market. I get excited like everybody else for the summer window because really there is not much going on. So for months I have the pleasure of wondering if my favorite Tahitian player Marama Vahirua will retire, a thought that will have the powerhouse of Tahitian football AS Pirae sick to it’s core, while divisional rivals AS Sport Central salivating and pondering on it’s next assault like Mandark from Dexter’s Laboratory. Outside of my weekly Major League Soccer fix things look grim or so I thought! Last year around this time we all were gearing up for the World Cup in Brazil and to be honest it was a great show. It had every thing. Color, what else should we expect from place like Brazil. It had surprises. Who could forget Spain’s capitulation, Brazil’s humiliation and Costa Rica and coach Jorge Luis Pinto’s manipulation of the tournament to shock everyone. It was a terrific time in Brazil. Shoot...Luis Suarez even bit someone! That is must see TV my friends. All of that happened last summer...that is a hard high to come down from. Fast forward to this year around the same time and everything looks passive until I realized something. Something that completely slipped my mind and that was the Copa America. I’m a little embarrassed to admit it too. For a guy who prides himself of being a football snob forgetting something like that is unforgivable. So here we are. This is me bringing to you a group and team breakdown. Let me give some information in case you guys haven’t heard. the tournament will be held in Chile from June 11th to July 4th. It features all 10 CONMEBOL teams and this edition of the tourney will sport two guests sides in Jamaica and Mexico from the neighboring CONCACAF region, thus taking the field up to 12. With that 12 divided into three groups of four. That being said I think I’m ready to get started with the crux of the article which is this breakdown and preview. My fixation and fanatical following of the Tahitian superstar Vahirua will just have to take a back seat...well at least for a month. Group A Chile Bolivia Ecuador Mexico Chile
I’m pretty meticulous and not starting this little preview in alphabetical order is kind of killing me. But for the sake of trying something new and expanding my editorial range I carry on. I even just started a sentence with the word “but,” and that’s something I don’t believe in. Anyway, I just feel it right that since Chile are the host of this edition of Copa America that they go first. Bolivia will just have to wait her turn. So what can we expect from the Chileans? Well, if last summer’s World Cup is any measuring stick we are looking at a dynamic and gifted team that definitely has a puncher’s chance. Led by the same man that guided then to a Round of 16 spot in Brazil, Jorge Sampaoli. The Chileans look to figuratively and literally press their opposition. The host energetic game will only be buoyed by their home field advantage making them a tentative contender to Uruguay’s crown. Which will be difficult since Chile has never won the tournament and have been losing runner ups four times. Hearing that makes me really feel for them and this the seventh time hosting the tournament so you never know this maybe lucky No.7. At least Sampaoli will certainly hope so. The intense Argentine will rely heavily on the duo of Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal who are having seismic seasons over in Europe. Especially Vidal, a player that Sampaoli didn’t have at the peak of his powers at the World Cup due to injury. He will be key to what the host do. I full expect Chile to boss their group with Mexico in tow. I’ve never bought what Ecuador is selling and well...Bolivia are keen but not ready. What I find really interesting is the timing and location of this tourney. Chile and Argentina are the only two nations on the continent that experience a winter and in this time of the year Chile will be going through her cooling months. This might not count for much because a lot of South Americans play in Europe but I just have the feeling these dip in temperatures will only help the Chileans and Argentines. That energetic and pressing game Chile loves to play doesn’t have to fear the sapping powers of the sun and this can make them very dangerous. Key Man- Although I put Arturo Vidal and key in the same sentence earlier I really think Chile will get their heat from one Alexis Sanchez. Bad jokes aside I think he will have a big say in Chile’s performance. Bolivia
Let’s be honest if Bolivia had to qualify for the Copa America it probably would not had made it. I love to research, so that when I come on here I don’t look like a fool but the lack of content that Bolivia drums up will have me looking like bozo. Of course they have a long history in the game but simply there is not much in the way success to convey. The biggest accolade I can give the Andean state is that she won what was the old Copa America, the South American Championship back in 1963 when they defeated Paraguay. In 1997 sneakily Bolivia made it all the way to the finals but loss to eventual winners Brazil. On those two occasions Bolivia played host. Sounds harmless enough, right? Maybe they played well and with the home crowd whipping the national side into a frenzy maybe the guys brought their best. All possibilities but I know Bolivia’s dirty little secret and I feel it had a lot to do with their Herculean performances. Bolivia is a nation literally in the clouds. The capital La Paz sits above sea level and many tourist when they visit this mystic city often complain of altitude sickness. So guess where Bolivia play their international fixtures? You guessed it La Paz. Now imagine you were an opposing team playing against an acclimatized Bolivian side for 90 mins. You can’t breathe, you want to throw up and dizziness is your only companion. Teams that have played here have been subjected to these conditions for years and frankly it’s not safe so much so that FIFA has been in Bolivia’s ear about it. It is an advantage. An advantage that they won’t have when they play in Chile this summer. Bolivia will be looking to have a tidy campaign at the tournament and will have to put out the ole stone wall if they are thinking out of their group. The man tasked with leading the men from La Paz is Mauricio Soria. I read somewhere he had plans on spying on his opponents. I don’t know if this is true or not but it should be worth looking into because Bolivia isn’t very good. So Soria’s tactics has to be precise. I think it will be more about his coaching skills and chess work than the actual talents of his troops. Soria does not have star power at his disposal. What he does have is work horses like captain Ronald Raldes. Who at even at 34 has the lungs to breathe life into Bolivia. We talked a lot about the respiratory system this paragraph...but in all seriousness if Bolivia are even to get a point her boys will have exhibit real character. Key Man- Having a 34 year old center back as your fulcrum going into a major tournament is worrying but currently Ronald Raldes is the best Bolivia has got. Who knows he pay be able to channel is inner Javier Zanetti or Carles Puyol, men who played well into their 30s and made a huge impact for their sides. Ecuador
Emotion is a powerful thing. For me personally I have yet to harness it properly. It can cripple me and embolden me. Even to write a simple post like this one I have to me beaming with confidence or down in the doldrums. Never in between. When the confidence is there I feel like a Demi god but when it is not, well you know the rest. Dwelling on the dark side...I know how it feels to be thrown away, not given a chance and forgotten. Where others don’t even consider your dreams and if they did they would count for nought in their eyes. So why am I saying all this? Truth of the matter is I see a lot of myself in Ecuador. Here you have a side in Ecuador placed among giants like Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay and time after time has to prove itself and scrap for it’s existence. Ecuador tries and uses what it has to the best of her ability but the cold and nasty reality is that she will come up short and what hurts even more is that this little country knows it will fail again and again but still it gets up and sticks to it’s task. It is given no applause. No credit. Just hurt. Well as long as I’m alive I will stand with Ecuador each time because I take it personally. Anyway, this is a football website and I should start talking about sport so let me dive into it. Unfortunately me plunging into Ecuador’s Copa history leads me down a path of despair, it’s a good thing I lavished them with praise early because what is to come is not pretty. Ecuador’s resume in the Copa America has a bushel of first wrong exits to go along with tons of fifth, sixth and seventh place finishings. Their best performances came in 1959 and 1993 when they finished fourth that is when they hosted the tourney. Which is great but the cup is being held in Chile not Ecuador so they will not have home comforts to rely on. As I said although I applaud Ecuador’s workman like attitude and the ilk of players it has in it's ranks I can’t see any of them dazzling the crowds in Chile or flattening the opposition. What makes their plight even harder is that captain and probably best player Antonio Valencia will not be there after undergoing surgery in the off season. Another notable absentee is striker Felipe Caicedo who too is sidelined through injury. Coach Gustavo Quinteros will have to find the right mix in order to even get Ecuador out of the group because I can see a tussle between themselves and Mexico for that second place spot. Key Man- No Antonio Valencia means someone has to fill the void and though I hate to say it.That man has to be Enner Valencia. It’s not that I have a problem with him it’s the fact he can be a bit sporadic in front of goal. If he does find a scoring touch it will definitely aid in Ecuador’s chances of success.
Mexico
My dark horse! I’m not going to get all mushy and gushy like I did about Ecuador, with Mexico it will be short and sweet. Before I rattle off stats and other facts and truths let me start off by saying that I have sneaky feeling that the Mexicans could actually win this thing. I mean realistically only Brazil and Argentina are the true contenders with the likes of Colombia and Chile close but not quite there. While a Uruguay without Luis Suarez doesn’t quite have the bite. (That was a really bad joke... I’m sorry) You get what I’m saying though...no doubt. So then you are left with sides like Mexico. Who really can just fly under the radar and pick off it’s targets. The past few games for “El Tri,” have been exciting and there is now more than ever a feel good atmosphere to the Mexican national team. All down to the charismatic Miguel Herrera. The Mexican coach's antics, comical facial expressions and gesticulations on the sidelines make him one of the most watchable figures in the world game. Plus the dude is downright funny. For me he is up there with the NBA and the San Antonio Spurs' Gregg Popovich when it comes down to coaching personalities. All jokes aside Herrera has brought his CONCACAF team south to not just enjoy in festivities but take some bragging rights back to Central America. For me, I have always seen Mexico a tricky ordeal for South American sides and they will be sticky this time around. Join by their CONCACAF counterpart Jamaica as invitees, so no qualification needed. Mexico’s Copa America history is actually a very illustrious one and is certainly better than the likes of Ecuador and Venezuela. Mexico have been worthy runner ups twice, three third place finishes are under their belts and have made the quarterfinals twice. The only time they have failed to reach deep into the belly of the contest was in the last Copa America in Argentina in 2011. What makes it even more impressive is that this is their 9th Copa. This Mexican side Herrera has chosen is very homogenous. I only count four European based players and one of them is the aging Rafael Marquez. There is no Javier "Chicharito," Hernandez, Giovani Dos Santos, Carlos Vela, Hector Moreno, Diego Reyes, Andres Guardado (big shock), Guillermo Ochoa, Miguel Layun or Hector Herrera. These all are really good players but Herrera has proven he knows what he is doing. So I trust him. Key Man- Tough to nail down a stand out figure due to the side that Miguel Herrera has chosen. He has gone for an older squad probably because he has the Gold Cup coming up and is saving his young European tested stags for that. Call it my Eurocentrism or my obsession with youth but I have gone with Atletico Madrid’s Raúl Jiménez as Herrera’s go to guy. He played recently in a friendly against Peru so maybe coach is posturing to start him but he is a tall goal hound. Predictions- Host Chile 1st, Mexico 2nd, Ecuador 3rd, Bolivia 4th. Chile are the class act here and their at home so good things are bound to happen. Mexico has a great track record in this tournament and I fully expect them to keep that up. The Ecuadorians will huff and puff like they usually do but they will not by pass the above mentioned. Bolivia...no thanks. A complete write off.
Admittedly I feel like I’m a little bit behind schedule with my World Cup previews. I’ve got about two weeks before the big dance and as I write I literally just forced out Group A out of chasms of mind. If I didn’t know me I would be really worried about not cranking out the other articles but as a guy who use to pump out seven stories on a day on a difficult topic like classical music, this is nothing. Now that I have stroked my ego. Here is the hope I don’t fall flat on my face and trip over my grammar. It’s all about getting better while trying to hold onto the confidence you gained from past experiences. I see four teams in Group B who would do well to follow this mantra. Each one of them have specific targets in mind and clear cut ideas on what a positive result looks like. I don’t know if I have anymore build up left in me or if I have the skill to add a few more lines to this little intro without revealing the members of Group B... I’m talking like if you guys are actually waiting on me to tell you who is in the group. Anyone with a computer or can read already knows who the teams are but you have to admit my stall tactics weren’t that bad. Group B Australia Chile Netherlands Spain Australia I love how Group B alphabetically goes from weakest to strongest and it makes my job easier. I don’t have to my rack brain about predictions it’s perfect. Australia comes into this tournament off the back of a strong qualifying campaign. In the first phase of qualifying the “Socceroos,” were placed in Group D alongside Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Oman. The Australians easily bested the group and moved on to the final round of Asian qualifying. This time Australia faced stiffer opposition when they were deposited in AFC’s Group B alongside Japan, Iraq, Jordan and Oman yet again. The Australians finished behind Japan thus qualifying automatically for the World Cup. Let me start off by saying what has impressed me most about Australia. Firstly, jumping federations is not any easy thing. Since their move into the AFC from Oceania Australia has been nothing short of amazing, giving Japan and South Korea a real test. Secondly, this will be Australia’s fourth World Cup and for a country that prioritizes rugby and Aussie Rules Football that is pretty impressive. The state has done well to become a regional power in Asia but here is where my praise ends. I look at squad for the Australians and I’m squinting to find quality. I don’t think Tommy Oar , Tim Cahill and Mile Jedinak will get them anywhere. Cahill probably the greatest Aussie to play the game, when the World Cup kicks off will be in his mid 30s and has been unable to stay fit at length for his club New York Red Bulls in recent times. I can’t see them not getting steamrolled by the Dutch and Spanish and taken to task by the Chileans. The talent Australia is pushing out is getting better but they are seriously outclassed in this venture. Key Man- Mile Jedinak will have a lot to do because his side will be facing some of the world’s best attackers. His communication and organizational skills will be very important. Jedinak is coming of a solid season with Crystal Palace and will need his form to continue. Chile
Chile are a very interesting team. You never really here about their players but you know they can play. The first Chilean player I ever heard about was Marcelo Salas and what a player he was. I think because they are in South America and they have to put up with the Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and teams like Paraguay and Ecuador they always seem like a second thought. Which shouldn’t be the case when you look at the fact that this will be their ninth time at a World Cup. In 1962 when they hosted the tournament they even finished third. So maybe it’s me who pushes them at the back of the mind. Qualifying out of CONMEBOL is really not that easy but somehow the Chileans have manage to do it time in and time out. This campaign the Chileans finished third in South American qualifying behind Colombia and Argentina and just above Ecuador and Uruguay. It is worth noting that the Argentines won the group on 32 points while Chile rounded up 28 points. Being off the top by just four points isn’t bad. Chile’s coach Jorge Sampaoli will heavily depend on his star men, Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal. With the latter in a race to fit according to the latest reports. Not to be forgotten are the likes of goalkeeper and captain Claudio Bravo as well as Gary Medel, players who Sampaoli will rely on also. Chile has to look play the role of spoiler going into this group. They have to hope either Spain or Holland slip up so they can sneak in. Now will that happen? Most likely not but they have to play well and pray to lady luck. Key Man- The guy for Chile is Arturo Vidal. All reports are saying he is in a race against time to be fit for the tournament after undergoing surgery. If he is well there is no doubt that the play will be ran through him. Netherlands
I think the Netherlands and Portugal are the only two major European nations not to have won the World Cup. The Dutch have come close. Like loss in the final three times close. The most recent disappointment was in South Africa in 2010 when they were edged out by Spain. This will be the tenth time Holland will be at the World Cup finals. They got to Brazil by topping a relatively easy Group D in the UEFA qualifying zone. The Dutchmen brushed aside Turkey, Romania, Hungary, Estonia and Andorra like nothing and finished nine points clear of the closest challenger. I don’t know what do say about the Netherlands really. They are a wonderful offensive side with a style of play that is world renown. Players like Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder have been here before and they will look to bring along the likes of youngsters Memphis Depay and Jordy Clasie. All in all the Dutch has a sweet mixture of youth and experience a template that has a proven track record. Some pundits say that the defenders in the Netherlands squad are lacking but I say let the youngsters play and see what they can do. This could be Holland’s year. Key Man- Arjen Robben is that guy for me. His past few years have been electrifying. There was a knock on him for scuffing good opportunities but those days are long gone. The titles he won with Bayern München has definitely gave him a wonderful confidence. Spain
Trying to capture it’s second consecutive World Cup title, Spain will be favorites to lift the trophy again. Coached by the excellent Vincente Del Bosque the Spanish waltzed into their 14th World Cup when won Group I. A group that boasted a classy France and the makeweights Finland, Belarus and Georgia. I think this maybe my shortest team preview simply because Spain is so deep in all spots on the field. The main sub plot about the team is the fitness of their naturalized forward Diego Costa. Will he make it to Rio? As I write it’s too earlier to tell but right now there is a concern. To call names would be silly here. Spain has such a deep, deep, deep squad full of world beaters. Although I have my own favorites to win the tournament, let’s be honest Spain is probably going to come along and just win it again. I don’t see any weakness and now they have a champion’s mindset. I don’t see why they shouldn’t go all the way again. Key Man- Finding the key man for Spain is really hard. As I said in the above stanza there is no weakness in the Spanish team but one man I do like is Sergio Ramos. Not the most sexiest pick but he has put in the work to merit my choice. Predictions- No doubt that there will a one-two punch when it comes to this group. Spain and the Netherlands in that order. These two are the rich uncles who you always hear about from your mom whom you never met because they are always off doing miracles. Like swimming with sharks in Tortola. My uncle actually did that once...Chile, I think they will be stylish and competitive but both of those thing won’t get you pass the group stage. Again my thoughts on Australia has not changed over four years. Thanks for the effort, the color and spirit and most of all thanks for coming. Spain
