Copa America 2019 starts tonight with Brazil vs. Bolivia. The tournament is being held in Brazil, in a much smaller geography than WC 14 (Sao Paolo, Rio, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre, and Salvador). CONMEBOL's 10 teams plus invitees Japan and Qatar will be in 3 groups of 4 for a round robin, with the top 2 from each group plus 2/3 3rd place finishers based on points (and goal differential if tied on points) moving on to the quarterfinals for a single leg knockout.
Group A
Brazil
Bolivia
Peru
Venezuela
Group B
Argentina
Colombia
Paraguay
Qatar
Group C
Chile
Ecuador
Japan
Uruguay
Chile come in as 2-time defending champs (both times over Argentina in penalties) while Brazil hasn't even made the semis (!) since winning the tournament in 2007. Uruguay won it in 2011, Colombia won it in 2001, and Argentina won it in 1993 (sigh). No other nation has won the tournament since Paraguay in '79! Uruguay has the most titles all time with 15, Argentina's second with 14, and Brazil's third with 8.
For those of you who really love the sport, CA is a really interesting tournament to watch for comparison purposes. The South American game is SIGNIFICANTLY more physical than its European counterpart and more similar to CONCACAF THUNDER, but with skill. Most of these teams are organized and well-drilled, making even absurdly talented squads like Brazil fight like hell for their results. Every time this tournament rolls around several South American-based players show well and get snapped up by European clubs, so there is definitely some scouting to be done.
Brazil come in as HEAVY favorites (-500) with Argentina a distant second (-100) and Uruguay third (+100). Tite is one of the better international managers and he has a ridiculous squad to choose from, although Neymar is out in part due to injury and in part due to his legal troubles. Nevertheless, Gabi Jesus, Firmino, Neres, and Richarlison highlight the front line (is Firmino healthy?), Willian, Coutinho, Arthur, Fernandinho, Casemiro, and Allan is an embarrassingly talented MF, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Felipe Luis, Alex Sandro, and Dani Alves is a talented and experienced defense, and the GK position is stacked with Alisson and Ederson. Anything less than a title would be an ENORMOUS upset. Will be interesting to see if Coutinho looks any better for the NT than he did at Barca. He was objectively bad at Barca this season. Gabi Jesus, Willian, and Arthur are likely looking to impress after good but not great (for their lofty standards) seasons. Neres and Richarlison may look even better playing along side world class players, if they get to see enough of the field.
Argentina have steadied the ever-rocking national team boat with the stewardship of Scaloni. He has brought in many domestic-based players, has a coherent pressing-philosophy, and has earned Messi's approval. He has built the team around the best players and gives this team a chance. Messi and Aguero lead the front line, along with Lautaro Martinez and Dybala waiting in the wings. Scaloni has intelligently realized that the MF needs to be built around Leandro Paredes (PSG) and Lo Celso (Betis) who are both gifted passers. Lo Celso in particular has the potential to be one of the sport's premier #10s. It appears that Di Maria will get the opportunity on one wing with Acuna and Roberto Pereyra competing for the other MF spot. Also keep an eye on De Paul who has shown flashes of being a real impact player. The defense is good but does not have any top end talent. In the middle there is lots of competition between Foyth, Funes Mori, Pezzella, and Otamendi. The FBs do seem settled with very solid players Tagliafico and Saravia. Armani is slightly less good than I'd hope for the national team, but he won't cost the team matches while not bailing them out either. A good showing at CA (semis or better with coherent tactics) will make it hard for AFA to replace Scaloni and would bode well for the team's development heading into WCQ.
Uruguay is the team to watch if you want to scout young talent. Maxi Gomez is going to be the next hot young striker desired by mega clubs next summer, Torreira got off to a torrid start at Arsenal before falling off later in the season, Betancur is getting real minutes at Juve at 21, Laxalt and Jimenez have been excellent fitting into Uruguay's always stout defense and there are other young players that should see time for the Celestes. Tabarez is a legendary coach and I don't think there's another country that plays more passionately than Uruguay. Cavani, Suarez, and Godin are still there and will be positives.
Colombia also bring a ton of talent and round out the teams I think have a realistic shot to win the thing. Quieroz has come in and raised expectations for the team, and with names like James, Cuadrado, Muriel along with a very stout backline, Colombia can do some damage. The CB pairing of Sanchez and Mina is tied with Uruguay for best in the tourney although lacking the same depth. James will have to get back to playing like the Galactico he was 3-5 years ago for the whole thing to work well, but Colombia are ready for this tournament. Argentina-Colombia may be the best match of the group phase and is tomorrow night!
Chile also have decent betting odds, but this golden generation has likely run its course. Vargas, Sanchez, Aranguiz, Vidal, Medel, Beausejour, and Isla are all on the wrong side of 30 and the guys who've come in behind them are not that impressive.
Other big names in the tourney include Rondon (Venezuela, Newcastle), Advincula (Peru, Rayo Vallecano), and Almiron (Paraguay, Newcastle).
Group A
Brazil
Bolivia
Peru
Venezuela
Group B
Argentina
Colombia
Paraguay
Qatar
Group C
Chile
Ecuador
Japan
Uruguay
Chile come in as 2-time defending champs (both times over Argentina in penalties) while Brazil hasn't even made the semis (!) since winning the tournament in 2007. Uruguay won it in 2011, Colombia won it in 2001, and Argentina won it in 1993 (sigh). No other nation has won the tournament since Paraguay in '79! Uruguay has the most titles all time with 15, Argentina's second with 14, and Brazil's third with 8.
For those of you who really love the sport, CA is a really interesting tournament to watch for comparison purposes. The South American game is SIGNIFICANTLY more physical than its European counterpart and more similar to CONCACAF THUNDER, but with skill. Most of these teams are organized and well-drilled, making even absurdly talented squads like Brazil fight like hell for their results. Every time this tournament rolls around several South American-based players show well and get snapped up by European clubs, so there is definitely some scouting to be done.
Brazil come in as HEAVY favorites (-500) with Argentina a distant second (-100) and Uruguay third (+100). Tite is one of the better international managers and he has a ridiculous squad to choose from, although Neymar is out in part due to injury and in part due to his legal troubles. Nevertheless, Gabi Jesus, Firmino, Neres, and Richarlison highlight the front line (is Firmino healthy?), Willian, Coutinho, Arthur, Fernandinho, Casemiro, and Allan is an embarrassingly talented MF, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Felipe Luis, Alex Sandro, and Dani Alves is a talented and experienced defense, and the GK position is stacked with Alisson and Ederson. Anything less than a title would be an ENORMOUS upset. Will be interesting to see if Coutinho looks any better for the NT than he did at Barca. He was objectively bad at Barca this season. Gabi Jesus, Willian, and Arthur are likely looking to impress after good but not great (for their lofty standards) seasons. Neres and Richarlison may look even better playing along side world class players, if they get to see enough of the field.
Argentina have steadied the ever-rocking national team boat with the stewardship of Scaloni. He has brought in many domestic-based players, has a coherent pressing-philosophy, and has earned Messi's approval. He has built the team around the best players and gives this team a chance. Messi and Aguero lead the front line, along with Lautaro Martinez and Dybala waiting in the wings. Scaloni has intelligently realized that the MF needs to be built around Leandro Paredes (PSG) and Lo Celso (Betis) who are both gifted passers. Lo Celso in particular has the potential to be one of the sport's premier #10s. It appears that Di Maria will get the opportunity on one wing with Acuna and Roberto Pereyra competing for the other MF spot. Also keep an eye on De Paul who has shown flashes of being a real impact player. The defense is good but does not have any top end talent. In the middle there is lots of competition between Foyth, Funes Mori, Pezzella, and Otamendi. The FBs do seem settled with very solid players Tagliafico and Saravia. Armani is slightly less good than I'd hope for the national team, but he won't cost the team matches while not bailing them out either. A good showing at CA (semis or better with coherent tactics) will make it hard for AFA to replace Scaloni and would bode well for the team's development heading into WCQ.
Uruguay is the team to watch if you want to scout young talent. Maxi Gomez is going to be the next hot young striker desired by mega clubs next summer, Torreira got off to a torrid start at Arsenal before falling off later in the season, Betancur is getting real minutes at Juve at 21, Laxalt and Jimenez have been excellent fitting into Uruguay's always stout defense and there are other young players that should see time for the Celestes. Tabarez is a legendary coach and I don't think there's another country that plays more passionately than Uruguay. Cavani, Suarez, and Godin are still there and will be positives.
Colombia also bring a ton of talent and round out the teams I think have a realistic shot to win the thing. Quieroz has come in and raised expectations for the team, and with names like James, Cuadrado, Muriel along with a very stout backline, Colombia can do some damage. The CB pairing of Sanchez and Mina is tied with Uruguay for best in the tourney although lacking the same depth. James will have to get back to playing like the Galactico he was 3-5 years ago for the whole thing to work well, but Colombia are ready for this tournament. Argentina-Colombia may be the best match of the group phase and is tomorrow night!
Chile also have decent betting odds, but this golden generation has likely run its course. Vargas, Sanchez, Aranguiz, Vidal, Medel, Beausejour, and Isla are all on the wrong side of 30 and the guys who've come in behind them are not that impressive.
Other big names in the tourney include Rondon (Venezuela, Newcastle), Advincula (Peru, Rayo Vallecano), and Almiron (Paraguay, Newcastle).
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