There is a circle of people that believe that the modern day footballer is forced to play too much. I could see that argument. After some grueling domestic play in Europe and South America it seems that every summer there is a FIFA tourney popping its head up. We've had the World Cup, Copa America and the Gold Cup in the most recent summers (winters depending on where you live). Now it's the turn of the Euros and the Copa América Centenarío. From a fans standpoint this is magnificent, more football for us but as a player, yes it is another crack at glory but it has to be a little tiring. That being said I think the likes of Edison Cavani and Lionel Messi won't mind the extra lactic acid in the muscles if that means they lift Copa this June. Admittedly I dropped the ball the on previewing the Copa so far the sake of time and to avoid awkwardly overloaded sentences I just want to dive straight into the group previews. Here is a little info on the tournament because it is a special even. This cup is a clash between COMNEBOL and CONCACAF sides that's being hosted in the States. It shares the typical FIFA formatting, four groups containing four sides a piece, top two sides advance from the group. All ten CONMEBOL teams will participate while on the CONCACAF side of the equation basically the better teams in last year's Gold Cup will be attending. So let's get Group A analysis underway.
Group A
United States
Colombia
Costa Rica
Paraguay
USA
For me Jürgen Klinsmann tenure as United States head coach has been nothing special. Sure acquisition of the Gold Cup in 2013 should be marked has an accomplishment but I think a kid who is good at Sports Interactive's highly popular gaming series Football Manager could take charge of the USA and achieve the same feat. The United States national for me is more about Klinnsman and the decisions he makes than the actual players right now. You've got what you got with Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey so I'm not worried about that but Klinnsman as a coach has a big asterisk for me. The omission of Landon Donovan from the last World Cup was strange to me especially when he was still able to produce. What really made me tentatively climb off the Klinsmann caboose was when his American troops got dumped by Jamaica in the last Gold Cup in the semi finals. This isn't a knock against the rest of CONCACAF but really they have no business troubling Mexico and the States. Simply put, that loss to a Jamaican squad packed filled with virtually Englishmen who you would think had no real cohesion was a disgrace. The German has been average for me like I said before but he has had some good ideas and his policy on giving young players a chance (Bobby Wood & DeAndre Yedlin I'm looking at you) to play is refreshing. Something that can't be said about his predecessors Bruce Arena and Bob Bradley. In my eyes this has to Klinsman's defining moment. It's unfortunate that I had to make this preview of the United States chances at the Copa about him but that's how I see the US national team right now. For the tournament coach Klinnsman has called up a pretty solid but young team. He's declared that Brad Guzan currently of Aston Villa will man the sticks over Tim Howard who has had a wonky season for his former side Everton. The back line is a concern. Outside of Geoff Cameron and DeAndre Yedlin I am not impressed, I just don't think Matt Besler and John Brooks are the towers of powers anybody should look for at the back. In midfield the usual suspects of Bradley, Beckerman, Jermaine Jones and converted winger Fabian Johnson will be running around but a nice surprise in Christian Pulisic was added to the mix to provide dynamism. The US will be without Jozy Altidore and Aron Johannsson through injury so Bobby Wood and Gynasi Zardes will be given a run out but it be all about the withdrawn forward Clint Dempsey. America's chances on home soil in this tournament are up in the air given the group they have landed in but as in recent years they have been dealt a difficult groups in FIFA events before. I can barely call it and I know pundits and fans can't either.
Key Man- Clint Dempsey stated he would rather play behind a main striker and that's where he feels he is at his best. I absolutely agree. When I picture Clint I see as a wonderful surprise for the opposition rather than an unstoppable force. I hope who he is paired with it will only play to his strengths.
Colombia
I don't really know what to say here about "Los Cafeteros." They had a pretty poor Copa America where they finished third in the group phase behind Brazil and Peru. They scored one goal in that tournament and their superstar James Rodríguez failed to delight then and in this past season for Real Madrid he has been marginal both in the team and in his performances. The crazy thing is when you look at the four sides in this group Colombia seems to be the most capable of putting teams to the sword. José Pékerman's side is laced with extraordinary talent but something is a little off! The problem the Argentine is facing is that most of his star names have had spotty seasons and consistency has alluded his most trusted charges. Juan Cuadrado of Juventus started only 16 times in the last Serie A campaign. While down in Milan Cristian Zapata, Pékerman's most reliable defender has only racked up 14 starting appearances in the league for AC Milan. His teammate Carlos Bacca has had a better go of it starting well over 30 games with an 18 goal tally in Serie A which is good but I and the rest of the world is looking for the return of Sevilla's Carlos Bacca who electrified and was a absolute terror. Speaking of terror that is how one could describes Arsenal's David Ospina's previous season. The goalkeeper just made four appearances in what had to be a frustrating time. So I think Pekerman's greatest challenge is to revitalize his flat stars and get them feeling important again. He does that and a Copa could be for the taking.
Key Man- James Rodríguez I did mention had a torrid season. He has to prove to himself. It was not easy at Real Madrid and this tournament offers the opportunity to forget. Just exactly what he needs.
Costa Rica
It's funny how my friend came into my room used my computer and erased everything I had actually written about Costa Rica. I was initially mad because I gave a glowing review of Costa Rican goalie Keylor Navas and how he will singlehandedly make save his nations fortunes and how Costa Rica has come to a watershed moment. It was real riveting stuff! Come to find he actually did me a favor because Sr. Navas has been ruled out of the tourney due to tendinitis in one of his legs and his club side Real Madrid has pumped the brakes on his participation in the competition. That being said I don't believe Costa Rica will go very far in this event now. Celso Borges, Álvaro Saborío, Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell will have to somehow ramp up goal production if they are to have any chance here. "Los Ticos," had a surprisingly good World Cup and played everyone for a fool when they reached the quarterfinals. Disposing of Italy, Uruguay, England and Netherlands before Argentina crashed their party. In contrast if we were to rewind to last year's Gold Cup we would find a very beleaguered side. The Central Americans put in a sputtering display barley edging out Canada and Haiti in group play to advance to the quarters where they passively subdued by an aggressive Mexico. Oscar Ramírez's side have just loss their biggest weapons and I think this will be a tough go for them now.
Key Man- With no Keylor Navas I've reluctantly chose Joel Campbell as thee main threat for the Costa Ricans due to his legitimate pace on a wing something that few teams nowadays seem to have. I won't be lulled by Bryan Ruiz any further because for me he hasn't hit his mark internationally for some time now.
Paraguay
When I was growing up in the 90s Paraguay was the country that when you had to play them everyone said f*ck! They didn't do the atypical South American flair thing, they were tough tackling and mean. I even remembered famed Paraguayan goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert spitting on Brazil's Roberto Carlos. That's an isolated incident of indecency and idiocy but that was Paraguay's game when I was coming up. They were tough guys who could play and that translated to what was a very stern defense. Nowadays the Paraguayans aren't as hostile but their lock down defending has remained over the years. Questions marks in recent times has been thrown at their offense and with the waning of Roque Santa Cruz their once star striker, has seen a decline in scoring from the South Americans. In last year's Copa America they did bounce Brazil in the quarterfinals only to be undone by Argentina in the semis which sounds like progress but if you take into account this missed out on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and they shockingly came dead last for qualifying for the tournament so they are alarm bells still ringing for Paraguay. So what can we expect from "La Albirroja?" I really don't know! The quality of player isn't awful but you go though the men coach Ramón Díaz has to choose from it isn't screaming wonder. I fully expect the Paraguayans to duke it out with the Americans for a chance to advance as I expect Colombia to boss the group and Costa Rica to fade away.
Key Man- This one is tough no Lucas Barrios, Roque Santa Cruz and Óscar Cardozo to choose from I don't really know who is the next man up. Nelson Valdez is still running around and does a decent job for the Seattle Sounders but I don't think he is the answer. So I will go with Juan Iturbe granted he gets the pitch time. Paraguay in general is a mixed bag.
Predictions- Colombia 1st, USA 2nd, Paraguay 3rd, Costa Rica 4th. This all depends if James Rodríguez decides to sparkle. Although the United States are the hometown favorites they've got to sort out the issues at the back. Unless one of their defenders turns in to Alexi Lalas they will be a bit iffy. Paraguay has to start scoring goals and not hit us with their legendary 0-0 scorecards. As for Costa Rica I don't think their back line can survive with Keylor Navas.
I asked myself why do I write? Probably for the same reason why I use the word “I,” 79% of the time
when I start off a post. I am self absorbed. I know full well that I’m up against the likes of ESPN, Sky Sports and Fox Sports but still I plug on with my little blog. It would be easy to say I do it because I love it but if you know me I hate saying cliche stuff and there is no doubt that I do love getting on here and spreading what knowledge I have. Simply for me it’s more then that. I wanted to be apart of a long and great tradition of being a writer. Be I a bad or a good one, I have always wanted to be apart of this fraternity. I’m no different to any other young kid who wanted to be a soccer player. Of course they love to play but when they pick their idols they are essentially buying into the idea of the culture and induct themselves into game. Richard Stearman is not Cafu but who is not to say he does not have as much passion as the former. Talent is very important in everything, yes but the right to compete is even more powerful. In this Copa America sure I will make fun of the likes of Bolivia who will be put to the sword by their more lofty opponents but I will never question their right to be there. I hadn’t mentioned my actual writing skills but in an attempt to be a better communicator I will try to link the non football of the first few lines to the football jargon I came up with in the last few sentences...I actually can’t think of how I can do it so I’m just going to say I could do with a little more grammar classes at the local community college. Which I know can only help me in my crusade against goalkeepers who still where long pants while playing. I’m looking at you Gábor Király. It’s a shame...if you are a goalkeeper your still wearing long pants and it’s not 1978 and I’m pretty sure it’s not you should be arrested but that’s enough about that I have a group preview to do so let’s get to it. Before I do that just to show you how self absorbed I am the the word “I,” alone has been used 33 times just in this brief introduction. Just saying.
Group B
Argentina
Jamaica
Paraguay
Uruguay
Argentina
If you are familiar with football I really don’t have to sit here and waste my breathe about how great Argentina is because you already know. Now if that is not the case and you are new to the site and the soccer scene, let me put you on. Mind you this will be brief because Argentina is so good at the game that it really is self explanatory. Currently and this is debatable, the best player in the world is a fellow called Lionel Messi. Another debatable point is that countryman Diego Armando Maradona Franco is considered by a lot of people as being the best player who ever played the game. Sergio Agüero the father of Maradona's grandson is one of Europe’s elite strikers at the moment. Argentina has won the FIFA World Cup twice and since this the Copa America I’m talking about I think I should mention that the Argentines will be going for their 15th South American crown. Meaning they have won the continental competition 14 times. They have a strong domestic league almost on par with Europe. They tons of players playing in Europe and have a reputation of producing excellent footballers. Footballers that include the following: Nicolás Otamendi, Éver Banega, Carlos Tevez, Erik Lamela, Marcos Rojo, Pablo Zabaleta, Javier Pastore, Gonzalo Higuain and Ángel Di María. All of these fine gentlemen will be playing in Chile come June 11th and I didn’t even bother naming the rest because they are just as impressive. Now that the novices are up to speed with Argentina I can delve into the Patagonian nation’s chances. In my previous post I mentioned how Chile and Argentina are the only countries in South America to experience winter like conditions and how right now it is winter over there. I also mention how this will aid the Chileans and could boost their chances. Well if Chile is getting a boost I don’t know what the already overpowered Argentines will get. I could spout and say how the cool European like conditions will help Argentina but with all the stats and facts I laid down these guys don’t need any cheat codes. Argentina is a cheat code when it comes to this sport. Gerardo Martino is the current coach of the “Albiceleste,” a very strict and rigid coach but for all his pragmatic ways I can’t see him not letting Argentina’s attacking armada set sail. Brazil are the only team that can stand up to Argentina this time around and I fear for their chances. Argentina will win this tournament.
Key Man- Straight off the treble with FC Barcelona, Lionel Messi will look to cap a great season with a title for his country. Although ever brilliant, Messi does has his critics and they tend to be from within his homeland. Claims are that he has not always pulled out all the stocks when he is draped in sky blue and white of Argentina but rather leaves his magic in Catalonia. It has been a long year for him. Last year was the World Cup, a competition that saw the forward come up short in the final. A fact he will want to forget and this is the perfect chance. Fresh or fresh not Messi is just too good to discount.
Jamaica
antithesis
noun |
an·tith·e·sis | \an-ˈti-thə-səs\
:the exact opposite of something or someone
:the state of two things that are directly opposite to each other
This the definition of one of my favorite words according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Latin and Greek in origin the word “antithesis,” is as you see it above. I am actually very fond of the second definition. "The state of two things that are directly opposite to each other.” This being sport I think it is an appropriate meaning. Pitting two “states,” against each other. So why the English lesson? Well if you are observant you would see that lovely Jamaica Federation crest directly above our little “Word of the Day.” Above that logo is my detailed description of Argentina. If you read it you would know how glorious and illustrious Argentina is; they are truly the blue bloods of the game with few equals. Aristocrats, the Bourgeoisie or whatever antiquated fancy term you can think of. In contrast Jamaica are everything they are not. Few honors and what honors she does have don’t count for much. Jamaica's players sit at the fringes of Europe or settle for the pandering Major League Soccer. Millions if not billions know Leo Messi while a handful know Darren Mattocks. Jamaica is the antithesis of Argentina! One can even go a step further and say Jamaica literally and figuratively does not belong in the same company as Argentina. Harsh...I know but these are facts but yet I still feel a lot of hope for my Caribbean neighbor here. Let me explain for those who are lost on the last stanza. Jamaica belong to another FIFA qualifying zone called CONCACAF so it should not even be in this competition that is a CONMEBOL event, the federation in which Argentina is apart of. Like Mexico, Jamaica has been invited as a guest to take part in Chile. Looking at how I set up this preview on Jamaica you would think I have a vendetta against them but that is far from the case. I have the upmost respect and admiration for the men from the Greater Antilles and think they are the standard bearers for Caribbean football. This Copa America experience can only boost the island’s football pedigree and I didn’t always think so. I was skeptical about their chances but I stepped back and looked for positives. That being said I don’t think those pluses will outweigh the minuses at this tourney. This is a tough group and Jamaica isn’t lining up against Dominica, Bermuda and Grenada it will be Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, sides that savage even the best opponents. The man who will look to make Jamaica a real player in this Group B is German Winfried Schäfer who has an impressive coaching resume with the likes of VfB Stuttgart, Cameroon and Thailand on his dossier. Schäfer has chosen a Jamaican side full of European and North American based players. Most notable are Leicester’s Wes Morgan, Houston Dynamo’s Giles Barnes and New York Red Bulls’ Kemar Lawrence all of which had or are having tidy campaigns currently. These three if healthy will no doubt bring respectability to Jamaica’s Copa America.
Key Man- Argentina and Uruguay can be had at the back and don’t have the most mobile back lines. Vancouver Whitecaps' Darren Mattocks is very mobile and very strong. Balls over the top should be Jamaica’s game plan from the onset. This guy can get to them.
Paraguay
Over recent times I’ve grown a little disappointed in Paraguay simply because they just seem to be ticking along. I make sure I watch as much FIFA youth tournaments as I possibly can. The U-23s and U-20s are apart of my diet and I also particularly love to view the Toulon Tournament. At these tourneys Paraguay seem to be an ever present and each and every time I am absolutely blown away by their youth teams. I ogle at their young stars and rub my palms like a villain who is about to carry out the dirtiest of deeds. I legitimately look forward to see them playing for Paraguay senior team but for whatever reason they never make a clean transition. I don’t know what is wrong but to me and this is my tentative observation so don’t kill me. It seems that there is a disconnect between the youth set up and the full national team. I can comfortably say I am not an expert on Paraguayan football but I just want to know if the jump is too great for their young players or if they are not getting the best out of them right now. Paraguay a few years ago were to me at least the fourth best team in the region right behind Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Now Colombia and Chile have surpassed them and they are rubbing shoulders with dear I say Venezuela and Peru. They didn’t make the last World Cup in Brazil and in an attempt to reach it they finished rock bottom of the CONMEBOL. A far cry from when they topped their group at the World Cup 2010 in South Africa. There is hope though, Paraguay were the losing finalist at the last Copa in 2011 so they do have that to fall back on despite that turbulent World Cup campaign. There is no shame in losing to an excellent Uruguay in a continental tournament but I just feel Paraguay need to do more. They have lifted the Copa America twice in their history first of which came in 1953 with the second coming in 1979 so they are decorated. Now it’s up to coach Ramón Díaz to motivate his side so they can raise the cup. Díaz has chosen a team packed with players who ply their trade in the Americas. With the most familiar faces being veteran striker Roque Santa Cruz, Lucas Barrios, Nelson Valdez and Raúl Bobadilla. My concern is that this quartet is aging and if Paraguay is going to get something from this group their best players are going to have to be on form. Luckily that isn't my job it’s the coach’s duty and he definitely has his work cut out for him.
Key Man- Lucas Barrios went on loan from Spartak Moscow to French side Montpellier where he scored 11 goals from 27 appearances. A good haul, so no doubt Barrios will look to carry forward that good energy into the Paraguayan camp this summer. All in all he is a good player and his country will need his contribution in a big way.
Uruguay
So many emphasis is placed on players and match ups but I think coaches are just as important as any man on the field. Uruguay’s Óscar Tabárez is one of the finest managers walking and he isn’t a bad coach either. All sport aside his numerous tenures with Uruguay has yielded some wonderful results. I won’t rattle them off but I will say he and Uruguay will be defending their Copa America crown and will look to add No.16 to their trophy cabinet back in Montevideo. A feat that will extend their lead on eternal enemies Argentina who are going into the tournament on 14 Copa titles. Tabárez as grand of a master he is will no doubt face a tough task without two men who have served him so well in previous campaigns. Diego Forlán Uruguay’s golden boy has now retired from international football and will not be available for selection. While the country’s most dangerous and most productive player Luis Suárez will not be in Chile either. The Uruguayan front man is not allowed to take part in the Copa due to his nine match ban inflicted by FIFA for his incident at the last World Cup with Italian defender Giorgio Chellini. These two omission has left a huge void in Tabárez’s squad but lucky he has the predatory Edison Cavani at his disposal. Backing up the lanky forward will be staples of Uruguayan national team, men like Fernando Muslera, Diego Godín and all around tough guy Maximiliano Pereira. Which is all well and good but I feel with Luis Suárez Uruguay could had blasted it’s way through to the final and maybe grab that 16th Copa America title. Without him I’m sorry they are third best behind Argentina and Brazil.
Key Man- Edison Cavani needs to become the Edison Cavani of his Napoli days. Ligue 1 and PSG has watered him down. Cavani in Serie A was the Grim Reaper of defenses and he would crucify goalkeepers. Without Luis Suárez it all falls to him.
Predictions- Argentina 1st, Uruguay 2nd, Paraguay 3rd and Jamaica 4th. This will be easy work for Argentina I really don’t have to explain much here. Uruguay minus Luis Suárez is not the same and their chances of winning the tournament has been marred by his absence. Paraguay will be looking to prove a point due to their poor performances internationally but unfortunately this group will not help them exorcise those demons. The two nations divided by the Rio de la Plata Argentina and Uruguay will not be in the mood to let them pass. As for Jamaica as much as I want them to do well I know that they simply won’t.
