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Copa America: A team-by-team look at each group

By Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times on

Published in Senior Living Features

The Copa America Centenario, the 100th-anniversary edition of the world's oldest international soccer tournament, kicks off a 10-city, 23-day run Friday when the U.S. meets Colombia in Santa Clara. Times soccer writer Kevin Baxter takes a look at the 16 teams in the competition:

Group A

UNITED STATES

World ranking: 29

Best Copa America/South American Championship finish: 4th, 1995

2015 Copa America finish: DNP

Key players: MF Michael Bradley, D Geoff Cameron, F Clint Dempsey

Outlook: A poor performance in last summer's Gold Cup and an uneven start in World Cup qualifying leaves Coach Juergen Klinsmann's team needing a big performance in this tournament to get back on track. For Klinsmann, that means nothing less than advancing to the semifinals - which won't be easy given that the U.S. was drawn into the only group that includes two 2014 World Cup quarterfinalists in Colombia and Costa Rica. Another obstacle is the loss of forward Jozy Altidore to a hamstring injury. Klinsmann's roster is a mix of young and old, featuring eight players who are at least 30 and five who are younger than 24, among them Borussia Dortmund forward Christian Pulisic, who is 17. Key to the U.S. will be the play of holding midfielders Kyle Beckerman and Jermaine Jones, who will be counted on to slow opposing attacks before they get to the shaky backline and goalkeeper Brad Guzan, whom Klinsmann has named as his starter.

COLOMBIA

World ranking: 4

Best Copa America/South American Championship finish: Champion, 2001

2015 Copa America finish: Quarterfinals

Key players: D Cristian Zapata, MF Juan Cuadrado, D Jeison Murillo

Outlook: A quarterfinalist in the last World Cup, Colombia proved that performance was no fluke by reaching the final eight of the 2015 Copa America, a finish it could improve upon this summer. Colombia has quietly carved out a place among the world's elite under Coach Jose Pekerman, a three-time South American coach of the year whose biggest challenge has been working around injuries that have frequently sidelined Radamel Falcao, Colombia's all-time leading scorer. That has shifted the offensive load to Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez, who led the last World Cup with six goals. With Falcao again out - along with forwards Jackson Martinez and Teofilo Gutierrez and midfielder Fredy Guarin, none of whom were called up - the focus will remain on Rodriguez and striker Carlos Bacca. Colombia can also count on a quality goalkeeper in Arsenal's David Ospina, who gave up only one goal in four games in last summer's Copa America.

COSTA RICA

World ranking: 25

Best Copa America/South American Championship finish: quarterfinals twice, last in 2004

2015 Copa America finish: DNP

Key players: F Joel Campbell, MF Bryan Ruiz, F Alvaro Saborio

Outlook: It's been a turbulent but successful two years for Costa Rica, which made it to the quarterfinals of the 2014 World Cup under Coach Jorge Luis Pinto, reached the quarterfinals of last summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup under Coach Paulo Wanchope and is now starting over again with another coach, Oscar Ramirez. A legendary Costa Rican international during his playing days, Ramirez got off to a fast start, with Costa Rica defeating the U.S. in a friendly, then going unbeaten through the first four World Cup qualifiers. The Ticos have done that with a stingy defense anchored by Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas. The keeper will need more flawless performances here if Costa Rica is to have any chance of escaping group play because the Ticos have scored more than one goal only twice in 13 games heading into their Copa America tuneups.

PARAGUAY

World ranking: 39

Best Copa America/South American Championship finish: Champion twice, last in 1979

2015 Copa America finish: 4th

Key players: F Dario Lezcano, D Paulo da Silva, F Nelson Valdez

Outlook: A South American power that made it to the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup, Paraguay had plunged to 76th in the world rankings by 2014. It has fallen to Ramon Diaz, a well-traveled Argentine player and coach, to lead the way back and so far he has found success, taking Paraguay to the semifinals of last summer's Copa America and losing only once in the first six games of CONEMBOL World Cup qualifying. Paraguay isn't going to score many goals - it was shut out three times in its final six games last year - so it's often up to 38-year-old goalkeeper Justo Villar to keep the team in games. Paraguay's top goal scorer, forward Roque Santa Cruz, is 34 and will no doubt struggle with a group-play schedule that has Paraguay making two cross-country trips in one week.

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SCHEDULE

June 3: U.S. vs. Colombia, Santa Clara

June 4: Costa Rica vs. Paraguay, Orlando, Fla.

June 7: U.S. vs. Costa Rica, Chicago; Colombia vs. Paraguay, Rose Bowl

June 11: Costa Rica vs. Colombia, Houston; U.S. vs. Paraguay, Philadelphia

Group B

BRAZIL

World ranking: 7

Best Copa America/South American Championship finish: Champion 8 times, last in 2007

2015 Copa America finish: Quarterfinals

Key players: F Hulk, MF Philppe Coutinho, Kaka, D Dani Alves

Outlook: This Brazil squad bears little resemblance to the creative, improvisational teams that gave birth to jogo bonito, or the beautiful game. Neymar, the national team's top scoring threat, is passing up the Copa America to play in the Summer Olympics - Brazil, which is hosting the Games, considers that tournament more important. And with - David Luiz, Thiago Silva and Oscar left off the Copa America roster, what's left is a relatively inexperienced team featuring 14 players with fewer than 10 international caps. And even with its veterans, Brazil has struggled recently, winning only twice in six tries in World Cup qualifying, leaving it sixth in the CONEMBOL table. Former Brazilian international Dunga, who won a World Cup title as a defensive midfielder, is the man tasked with turning that around, but his coaching record is mixed. In his first stint as coach of the Brazilian national team, he won a Copa America, but his selections for the 2010 World Cup team were widely panned and he was sacked after losing in the quarterfinals.

ECUADOR

World ranking: 12

Best Copa America/South American Championship finish: 4th twice, last in 1993

2015 Copa America finish: Group stage

Key players: MF Jefferson Montero, F Miller Bolanos, MF Antonio Valencia

Outlook: Only one man has played more games for Ecuador than well-traveled defender Walter Ayovi, whose latest stop is Monterrey of Mexico's Liga MX. Yet in his 15 years with the national team, Ayovi has seen Ecuador advance out of the group stage of a major international tournament only once, when it made the round of 16 in the 2006 World Cup. This team might be the best one he has ever played for. Ecuador has climbed into the top 12 in the FIFA rankings for the first time in its history and sits atop the table in CONEMBOL World Cup qualifying after six games, with wins over Argentina and Uruguay. It will have to overcome the loss of high-scoring striker Felipe Caicedo, who has a thigh injury, but given the team's recent form in 16 months under new Coach Gustavo Quinteros and the weak group it was drawn in here, a spot in the quarterfinals of this tournament seems assured. Ecuador has made it that far in only one other Copa America, in 1997 when Ayovi was still a teenager.

HAITI

World ranking: 71

Best Copa America/South American Championship finish: First appearance

2015 Copa America finish: DNP

Key players: F Jean-Eudes Maurice, F Kervens Beifort, MF Mechack Jerome

Outlook: Haiti advanced out of group play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup last summer for only the second time in a dozen years, but its team takes a big step up in class here. After beating Trinidad and Tobago to make this tournament, it will face two of the world's top 12 teams in group play - a severe test for a team that is both winless and scoreless four games into the latest round of regional World Cup qualifying. Haiti's best hope rests with goalkeeper Johnny Placide and a defense that hasn't given up more than a goal in any game since playing China to a 2-2 draw 14 months ago. In the 12 games since then, Haiti has been shut out six times. The offensive spotlight - feeble though it may be - will be on French-born attacker Duckens Nazon, 22, who had Haiti's only two Gold Cup goals. Nevertheless, Haiti's June 4 game with Peru in Seattle could be the yawner of the tournament.

PERU

World ranking: 46

Best Copa America/South American Championship finish: Champion twice, last in 1975

2015 Copa America finish: 3rd

Key players: F Paolo Guerrero, D Yoshimar Yotun, MF Christian Cueva

Outlook: Given Peru's rugged play in World Cup qualifying - one win and four losses in six games and a goal differential of minus-6 - it's probably accurate to call the team's third-place finish in last summer's Copa America a surprise. But that gives well-traveled Coach Ricardo Gareca something to build on. Gareca has already started remaking the team, working the likes of Renato Tapia, a 20-year-old midfielder from Dutch club Feyenoord, and 21-year-old forward Andy Polo into the lineup. The two had just nine international appearances combined when they were named to the roster; five others were still waiting to make their national team debuts. Meanwhile, Peru is without experienced attackers Claudio Pizarro and Jefferson Farfan. As a result it isn't likely to surprise again this summer. but a win over Haiti and a strong effort against either Brazil or Ecuador could give Gareca's young team a huge boost of confidence. Opponents will have to be careful with forward Paolo Guerrero, who tied for top-scorer honors in last year's Copa with four goals.

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SCHEDULE

June 4: Brazil vs. Ecuador, Rose Bowl; Haiti vs. Peru, Seattle

June 8: Ecuador vs. Peru, Glendale, Ariz.; Brazil vs. Haiti, Orlando, Fla.

June 12: Ecuador vs. Haiti, East Rutherford, N.J.; Brazil vs. Peru, Foxborough, Mass.

Group C

 

JAMAICA

World ranking: 55

Best Copa America/South American Championship finish: Group stage, 2015

2015 Copa America finish: Group stage

Key players: GK Andre Blake, F Giles Barnes, D Wes Morgan

Outlook: Jamaica was the surprise team of last summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup, getting three shutouts and a semifinal win over the U.S. to arrive undefeated in the final, where it lost to Mexico. A month before, Jamaica, an invited guest to the 2015 Copa America, almost spoiled that party too, holding powerhouse teams from Argentina and Uruguay to a goal each in 1-0 losses. Credit the turnaround to coach Winfried Schafer, who was originally hired on a four-month contract in July 2013. Jamaica and Schafer have struggled mightily since the Gold Cup, though, winning one of their last five games. And goalkeeper Dwayne Miller, who shared the starting job with Ryan Thompson last summer, wasn't even called up for this event. While Jamaica still has the talent to surprise, the schedule works against it here, because the group-play game it needs to win will be played before a sold-out Rose Bowl crowd that will be solidly behind Mexico.

MEXICO

World ranking: 16

Best Copa America/South American Championship finish: 2nd twice, last in 2001

2015 Copa America finish: Group stage

Key players: F Oribe Peralta, MF Hector Herrera, D Paul Aguilar

Outlook: Mexico may have a new coach in Juan Carlos Osorio, but the internal strife that has long buffeted the team remains. That resulted in Galaxy forward Giovani dos Santos turning down a national team call-up for personal reasons, while forward Carlos Vela, who has long feuded with the Mexican federation, wasn't invited at all. The experienced squad Osorio is left with is still pretty good, though. Forward Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez is coming off a career year at Bayer Leverkusen, where he scored 26 goals in all competitions. He needs four more international goals to become Mexico's all-time leading scorer. Also back is 37-year-old defender Rafael Marquez and midfielder Andres Guardado, who scored the go-ahead goal in all three of Mexico's knockout-round wins in last summer's Gold Cup. Mexico has won an Olympic title and U-17 world championship in the last five years, but two Gold Cups are all this senior team - arguably among the most talented in Mexico's history - has won in that span. A deep run in this event could end the bickering.

URUGUAY

World ranking: 9

Best Copa America/South American Championship finish: Champion 15 times, last in 2011

2015 Copa America finish: Quarterfinals

Key players: D Diego Godin, MF Crisitian Rodriguez, D Max Pereira

Outlook: The loss of striker Luis Suarez to a hamstring injury in last week's Copa del Rey final was a crippling blow for Uruguay, which has won more Copa America titles than any other country. Suarez, who scored 59 times in all competitions for Barcelona this season, might not be available until the knockout round - if he plays at all. Also working against Uruguay is a schedule that will require the team to travel more than 5,200 miles and play three games in nine days. But the good news is a veteran backline, combined with Paris Saint-Germain forward Edison Cavani up front, that should provide more than enough talent to help the team advance out of a relatively soft group. Uruguay will need Suarez after that, however, because its likely quarterfinal opponent will be Chile or Argentina, two teams ranked among the top three in the world.

VENEZUELA

World ranking: 74

Best Copa America/South American Championship finish: 4th, 2011

2015 Copa America finish: Group stage

Key players: F Josef Martinez, D Roberto Rosales, MF Tomas Rincon

Outlook: The Bolivar isn't the only thing plummeting in Venezuela. The national soccer team dropped 38 spots in the world rankings since 2013 and it's doing even worse in World Cup qualifying, where Venezuela is the only South American country to go through the first six games winless, giving up an average of nearly three goals a game. Things won't get any better here, where Venezuela has been drawn into a group with Mexico, a team it has never beaten, and Uruguay, which it has beaten only four times in 28 tries. Clearly, Venezuela is hoping for better results under former goalkeeper Rafael Dudamel, who was named coach of the national team in April after the most recent qualifying loss. Dudamel has talent at his disposal, beginning with forward Salomon Rondon, who plays for English club West Bromwich Albion, and center back Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, captain of French first-division team Nantes.

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SCHEDULE

June 5: Jamaica vs. Venezuela, Chicago; Mexico vs. Uruguay, Glendale, Ariz.

June 9: Mexico vs. Jamaica, Rose Bowl; Uruguay vs. Venezuela, Philadelphia

June 13: Mexico vs. Venezuela, Houston; Uruguay vs. Jamaica, Santa Clara

Group D

ARGENTINA

World ranking: 1

Best Copa America/South American Championship finish: Champions 14 times, last in 1993

2015 Copa America finish: 2nd

Key players: F Lionel Messi, GK Sergio Romero, F Gonzalo Higuain

Outlook: Pity Lionel Messi. Arguably the greatest scorer ever, the five-time world player of the year has never won a major senior tournament, losing in the final of the last World Cup and twice falling in the final of the Copa America. And now his participation in this tournament is uncertain because of a back injury sustained Friday. The disappointment is starting to get old for Messi, who glumly accepted the Golden Ball as best player in the 2014 World Cup but refused to collect the MVP award at last summer's Copa America after Argentina lost to Chile. If he plays, Messi will once again be surrounded with an outstanding supporting cast that will include Manchester City's Sergio Aguero, Paris Saint-Germain's Angel Di Maria and Barcelona clubmate Javier Mascherano. Missing, however, is Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta, who needed surgery to repair an ankle injury. So the pressure will be on Messi who, at 28, can feel the window on his career beginning to close. Diego Maradona, Argentina's favored son, had already won a World Cup by his 28th birthday. But he never won a South American title, something Messi can do here.

BOLIVIA

World ranking: 79

Best Copa America/South American Championship finish: Champion, 1963

2015 Copa America finish: Quarterfinals

Key players: F Juan Carlos Arce, MF Jhasmani Campos, D Luis Gutierrez

Outlook: Bolivia, the lowest-rated team in the tournament, will face two of the world's top three teams in group play, so there's probably little reason to bother unpacking. But that's only the beginning of the troubles for Bolivia. Marcelo Martins, the team's leading scorer in last summer's Copa America, quit the team along with captain Ronald Raldes in September, citing differences with Coach Julio Cesar Baldivieso. That left much of the offensive load at the feet of Juan Carlos Arce, whose eight international goals make him Bolivar's leading active scorer. Then there's Bolivia's trio of green goalkeepers, who had only 17 international caps between them heading into Saturday's friendly with the U.S. Bolivia surprised in last summer's Copa, advancing out of group play for the first time in 18 years. That won't happen again this year.

CHILE

World ranking: 3

Best Copa America/South American Championship finish: Champion, 2015

2015 Copa America finish: 1st

Key players: F Alexis Sanchez, GK Claudio Bravo, MF Arturo Vidal

Outlook: Chile is enjoying a golden era in soccer. La Roja won its first South American championship last summer, is ranked third in the world for the first time and is coming off successive World Cups appearances for the first time. It isn't even the favorite to win its group here, though, because much of that prior success came under Coach Jorge Sampaoli, a finalist for FIFA coach of the year in 2015 who resigned in January. Chile split its first two competitive matches under his replacement, Juan Antonio Pizzi, who is struggling to find a personality for his team. Under Sampaoli, Chile was relentless on the attack, a physically challenging style of play that an aging team might have difficulty continuing. But Pizzi still has weapons at his disposal, including Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, the country's all-time leader in games played; forward Eduardo Vargas of Hoffenheim, the leading scorer in last summer's Copa; and Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez, Chile's top active scorer with 31 goals.

PANAMA

World ranking: 52

Best Copa America/South American Championship finish: First appearance

2015 Copa America finish: DNP

Key players: F Luis Tejada, F Blas Perez, D Felipe Baloy

Outlook: Although Panama has never qualified for a World Cup, it has a respectable record in regional competitions such as the CONCACAF Gold Cup, having made it to the semifinals of the last three tournaments. And it has followed the same strategy each time: rely on former Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo to keep the ball out of the net and try to manufacture a goal going the other way. In last summer's Gold Cup, Panama didn't win a game in regulation but finished third by drawing its three group-play games and advancing twice in the knockout stage on penalty kicks. It's a game plan that leaves little room for error, but it might be Panama's only hope here given the fact it has been drawn into a group with two of the world's top three teams. Plus Panama could start as many as eight players over 30, making it one of the oldest teams in the tournament.

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SCHEDULE

June 6: Panama vs. Bolivia, Orlando, Fla.; Argentina vs. Chile, Santa Clara

June 10: Argentina vs. Panama, Chicago; Bolivia vs. Chile, Foxborough, Mass.

June 14: Chile vs. Panama, Philadelphia; Argentina vs. Bolivia, Seattle

(c)2016 Los Angeles Times

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(c) Los Angeles Times

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