The biggest soccer tournament to be held in the U.S. since the 1994 World Cup is nearly here. The Copa America Centenario, the top international competition in the Americas, arrives on Friday as 16 nations battle to become the kings of the Western Hemisphere. Here's everything you need to know.
- Rosters
GROUPS
These are the Copa América groups. If there is a 'group of death', it's Group A. USA vs Colombia opens the cup. pic.twitter.com/uUsinG8eNN
— Paulo Freitas (@Cynegeticus) February 22, 2016
PREVIEW
Group A
Best team: Colombia - Los Cafateros are extremely talented but there are questions up top after the faded careers of strikers Radamel Falcao and Jackson Martinez saw both strikers fail to make the squad. The pressure up top is on AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca. He'll have to be at his best for Colombia to make a deep run. The rest is there for the team to contend.
Toughest group: This is the best group in the tournament when it comes to top to bottom. It doesn't have one of the best four teams in the tournament, but all are fairly solid and each could realistically make it to the quarterfinals.
Could surprise: USA - On home soil, you can never count out the U.S., but the truth is the team is coming off a poor Gold Cup and average performances in World Cup qualifying. The expectations simply aren't very high for this squad.
Top player: James Rodriguez - The Real Madrid man can perform magic with the ball but hasn't had enough opportunities at Real Madrid to get into the flow of things. He is Colombia's star though and will be expected to lead this squad.
Donde estas Keylor? Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas, the best shot-stopper in the tournament, won't play after he was injured with Champions League winner Real Madrid. And with that likely goes any chance Costa Rica had of making a 2014 World Cup-like run.
Under-the-radar player to watch: Juan Iturbe of Paraguay - Born in Argentina and long looked at like a future star for his birth nation, he began his professional career in Paraguay and became eligible to play for the country, earning his first cap at the age of 16. Despite expressing his desire to play for Argentina, he re-pledged to Paraguay earlier this year and is one to watch. Though he has had ups and downs in Europe, he has a boatload of talent and fantastic pace.
Outlook: Colombia headlines the group, and then it is the other three teams battling for second. Based on form, Colombia and Paraguay are the top two.
GROUP B
Best team: Brazil - How could it not be? The team isn't bringing its best roster, and Neymar is being saved for the Olympics, but it should be a cake walk in the group for Brazil with Hulk and Jonas playing up top.
Worst team: Haiti - Did you just learn that they had a national team?
Chances of Haiti and Peru advancing: 0 percent. There's a better chance that Burnley wins the Premier League next season.
Top player: Douglas Costa - The Bayern Munich attacker is quality on the ball, has flair and super speed. He will be responsible for creating chances and taking his own in attack.
Outlook: Brazil is the group's best, but Ecuador has been even better than Brazil in World Cup qualifying and brings a solid team that hopes to make a run. Nobody else has a chance.
GROUP C
Best team: Uruguay - Despite Luis Suarez likely missing the group stage with a hamstring injury, Uruguay is one of the most talented teams in the competition and the best team in Copa America history, winning it 15 times. It's Uruguay's group to lose.
Worst team: Venezuela. Despite the sport's popularity increasing in the country and the team finishing fourth in the 2011 Copa America, things haven't continued to trend upwards. Venezuela finished last in its Copa America group last year.
Player you'll know after the tournament: Jurgen Damm. The Mexican attacker is 23 years old and plays for Tigres. With a quick touch and fine dribbling ability, his creativity could be big off the bench for El Tri. Sooner rather than later, you'll see this one playing in Europe and making noise.
Outlook: Uruguay and Mexico are the heavy favorites to advance. But keep an eye on pesky Jamaica who turned some heads in last year's competition by playing close matches against Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
GROUP D
Best team: Argentina - The favorite, as it always seems to be. Will this team make it to yet another final and then fail to win? They haven't won a Copa America since 1993, but this may be their best chance as Lionel Messi, in-form Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero lead the attack.
Worst team: Bolivia - South America's laughing stock (except when they crushed Argentina 6-1 in 2010 World Cup Qualifying). The days of Jamie Moreno and Marco Etcheverry are long gone, and the team is nothing more than a below-average squad that doesn't do anything particularly well. Argentina and Chile will look at this match as a sure three points.
End the drought: Messi was six years old the last time Argentina won anything important. He has said his dream was to win something with this team, but after losing the Copa America final in 2007 and 2015 and losing the 2014 World Cup final, the Rosario native is running out of time. Will this be the time he leads Argentina to the summit? The pressure of the massive country is on his shoulders.
Reigning champs, new regime: Chile enters the competition as reigning champion, but gone is coach Jorge Sampaoli. In is Argentine Juan Antonio Pizzi, former coach of San Lorenzo, Valencia and Leon. Pizzi is looked at as a good manager who motivates his team and wants his players to play with passion, and he has experience in Chile coaching clubs. Can he keep Chile's ascension going?
Outlook: As it seems with many of the groups, there are two clear-cut teams, and that's Argentina and Chile. If any team can spring an update, it's Panama, but it is very unlikely.
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