Copa America 2021

[Sassy Colombian]

Was surprised both Muriel and Zapata were on the bench to start the game. Don’t know much about a good portion of the squad but Zapata just causes problems for the opposition every time I watch him play. Anyways good for Yerry to play and win.

It was very surprised myself that both of them were on the bench. Muriel is such quick player too and has such fighting spirit that’s puzzling he didn’t even play a few minutes. The game was so slow at times, it was driving me nuts. The new manager is trying to figure out who are the best players for his system. While winning Copa is always a goal. I’m thinking Rueda’s main aim with this tournament is getting to know the players and perfecting his system for next WC qualifying matches.

 

[obc]

James should be in this Colombia squad, even if just for 10 - 15 mins of magic he can bring.

Can't see much creativity without him.

When watching the Cafeteros in Bogota I once remarked that Colombia without James was basically the (pre-2021 Youth Rebellion) USA but with Mina for the esquinas.

Lots of scrap, frustration, little result then hoping for some magic if they subbed in Yimmi Chara in the 75th minute.

 

[Argentina Racing]

Lautaro masterclass incoming tonight

 

[TaffyToffee85]

Not a bad start to the tournament, I would prefer it if the top two from each group went to the semi finals instead of the top 4 from two groups of five getting to the quarters.

You can have a 1-1-2 or 1-0-3 record and still make it through.

Still, it’s good to see this running at the same time as the Euros, more football to watch during this 35 day wait for freedom.

 

[TheBigIguana]

Everyone playing 4 games just to knock two teams out is genuinely hilarious stuff from CONMEBOL

 

[Goat]

Everyone playing 4 games just to knock two teams out is genuinely hilarious stuff from CONMEBOL

Why dont America play in Copa America mate?

 

[Brownie]

Is funny how Messi was average at freekicks for ages and then one year just decided to practise and become amazing for evermore.

 

[TaffyToffee85]

Why dont America play in Copa America mate?

The USA?. In the 1995 edition they were a guest nation and finished 4th.

They were going to have guests this year, but they both withdrew.

The 1995 edition was fantastic; if a game drew after 90 mins, it would go straight to penalties and there was a lot more attacking intent from both teams in all the matches as a result.

 

[Mutzo Nutzo]

Lautaro masterclass incoming tonight

He ballooned one over the bar from 3 yds out.

 

[Goat]

Is funny how Messi was average at freekicks for ages and then one year just decided to practise and become amazing for evermore.

The very bored man on commentary just said hes beaten Riquelemes Argie Free Kick record with that.

 

[TheBigIguana]

Why dont America play in Copa America mate?

That's the other America. We don't talk about them.

Being serious though I wish they would, they don't because they don't want to risk a merger where they'd have to work to make World Cups.

 

[obc]

Everyone playing 4 games just to knock two teams out is genuinely hilarious stuff from CONMEBOL

Originally Australia and Qatar were to play in the tourney as well, so would have been 5 games to knock out 4 teams... still oddball, but hey, Some Euro groups see three of four teams advance.

Being serious though I wish they would, they don't because they don't want to risk a merger where they'd have to work to make World Cups.

Copa <> Conmebol. Two different entities. USA hosted the Copa America Centennial in 2016, finishing fourth and had a bid to host what would have been 2020. I love seeing us playing South American teams and hope to see more integration.

As far as a merger goes, pretty sure it's all of CONCACAF, not just the USA that wouldn't want to combine for World Cup qualifications. Even Mexico would have to work to qualify, let alone the other two or three teams who have a shot at making at least the World Cup or that play-in match.

And travel would be an absolute nightmare. I'm currently in southern Brazil, and I am closer to Cape Town , South Africa than Miami, the closest point in the US. For comparison, Moscow is 2,500km as the crow flies from London. 2,500 miles due North wouldn't even get me out of Brazilian air space. Curitiba to Manaus is 2,700km and change.

Either Buenos Aires or Santiago to Toronto is over 8,500km. Basically, pretty much the same as London to Vladivostok, Russia out on the Sea of Japan.

 

[obc]

As for the tournament, so far so good. Wins (although expected) for Colombia, Paraguay and Brazil.

 

[TheBigIguana]

Originally Australia and Qatar were to play in the tourney as well, so would have been 5 games to knock out 4 teams... still oddball, but hey, Some Euro groups see three of four teams advance.



Copa <> Conmebol. Two different entities. USA hosted the Copa America Centennial in 2016, finishing fourth and had a bid to host what would have been 2020. I love seeing us playing South American teams and hope to see more integration.

As far as a merger goes, pretty sure it's all of CONCACAF, not just the USA that wouldn't want to combine for World Cup qualifications. Even Mexico would have to work to qualify, let alone the other two or three teams who have a shot at making at least the World Cup or that play-in match.

And travel would be an absolute nightmare. I'm currently in southern Brazil, and I am closer to Cape Town , South Africa than Miami, the closest point in the US. For comparison, Moscow is 2,500km as the crow flies from London. 2,500 miles due North wouldn't even get me out of Brazilian air space. Curitiba to Manaus is 2,700km and change.

Either Buenos Aires or Santiago to Toronto is over 8,500km. Basically, pretty much the same as London to Vladivostok, Russia out on the Sea of Japan.

Agree with all that. I understand about the Copa vs Conmebol I was just saying that having the tournament combined all the time would give a sense of "maybe combining these could work" and as you CONCACAF will not want that one bit. It's actually probably worse for everyone that isn't the US and Mexico. If you combine the bids you've got 5.5+3.5 so 9 total. The US and Mexico are possibly in the top 9 from the Americas, teams like Canada, Costa Rica and Jamaica are probably not. Definitely a non-starter.

The geography part I didn't really even consider but year it isn't a good idea at all with how international breaks currently work.

 

[obc]

Agree with all that. I understand about the Copa vs Conmebol I was just saying that having the tournament combined all the time would give a sense of "maybe combining these could work" and as you CONCACAF will not want that one bit. It's actually probably worse for everyone that isn't the US and Mexico. If you combine the bids you've got 5.5+3.5 so 9 total. The US and Mexico are possibly in the top 9 from the Americas, teams like Canada, Costa Rica and Jamaica are probably not. Definitely a non-starter.

The geography part I didn't really even consider but year it isn't a good idea at all with how international breaks currently work.

Tournaments like Copa would work well, provided not how 2020(1) was supposed to go with split hosts several thousand miles apart. (Colombia SHOULD have got it, but it was allegedly co-awarded to the Argies to prove they could behave themselves after that Boca/River fiasco in the Libertadores not long ago.) Include enough teams from CONCACAF and elsewhere (would love to see more Australia vs Uruguay) to puff it to 16 so you could do brackets that make more sense than this year's goofy set up.

That would be brilliant.



Larger scale stuff like WC qualifiers I don't think could work and too many teams like Peru, Paraguay, Colombia and everyone in CONCACAF not named Mexico would be pretty pissed they'd all be competing for like those last 1.5 spots. (And don't discount the Ticos, Costa Rica has done better than the US over the last handful of years.)