Copa America Centenario thread

[robdog]

I was excited until the draw took place. While you English will be hooping & hollering for the Euros, on the other side of the pond Copa America Centenario will be taking place in the US. Here are the Groups:

Group A        
U.S.        
Columbia     
Costa Rica          
Paraguay         

Group B
Brazil  
Ecuador
Haiti   
Peru                                       

Group C    
Mexico     
Uruguay    
Jamaica    
Venezuela  

Group D  
Argentina
Chile    
Panama   
Bolivia 

[TheChelseaBlues]

f**king pissed none of those games are being played in Kansas City. We got a pretty raw deal with our group as well, I believe we got the highest ranked teams from pots 2, 3 and 4. Brazilian and Uruguay must have their tickets booked for the knockout stages already

Edited March 1, 2016 by TheChelseaBlues

[robdog]

f**king pissed none of those games are being played in Kansas City. We got a pretty raw deal with our group as well, I believe we got the highest ranked teams from pots 2, 3 and 4. Brazilian and Uruguay must have their tickets booked for the knockout stages already

I believe the organizers wanted the biggest stadiums in the US to host matches

[Jones1905]

Vamos Bolivia! 

[TheChelseaBlues]

Who do we think will win the groups?

 

Group A        
U.S.     
Columbia     
Costa Rica          
Paraguay         

Group B
Brazil  
Ecuador
Haiti   
Peru                                       

Group C    
Mexico     
Uruguay    
Jamaica    
Venezuela  

Group D  
Argentina
Chile    
Panama   
Bolivia

 

Pretty straight forward I think. For some reason I have a feeling about Peru. Nobody is beating Brazil in that group but Peru get to play them when they will most likely have 6pts already and Peru play Haiti first. 

[Luca Cigarini]

I'm from Brazil, and a think this competition is absolutely unnecessary. Almost every year this kind of competitions... and players like Neymar commited with the Olympics also.

[Jones1905]

I'm from Brazil, and a think this competition is absolutely unnecessary. Almost every year this kind of competitions... and players like Neymar commited with the Olympics also.

 

That's fine for the Brazilians/Argentinians and so on who compete in the WC every 4 years - but for other COMNEBOL nations like Bolivia, Peru and so on this is a huge tournament. 

[Luca Cigarini]

That's fine for the Brazilians/Argentinians and so on who compete in the WC every 4 years - but for other COMNEBOL nations like Bolivia, Peru and so on this is a huge tournament. 

 

that's a nice and clever point of view.

[Jones1905]

Cheers! 

 

BTW - are you an Atalanta fan or do just love Il Professore?    

[Luca Cigarini]

Cheers! 

 

BTW - are you an Atalanta fan or do just love Il Professore?    

 

That's complicated, haha. I'm from Bahia, same state of Dani Alves, in Brazil.

 

So, when he moved to Sevilla, I became a Sevilla fan. 

 

Then he moved to Barcelona, but I continued as a Sevilla fan.

 

A couple of years later, Sevilla bought Cigarini. He's a great player, fantastic technique and vision. 

 

But, as another italian players like Guarente and Ciro Immobile, he had some trouble to stay at the club. 

 

Really nice player, kind of a Pirlo. He deserved better in his carreer, I think. Maybe his move for Sevilla was a mistake.

Edited March 16, 2016 by Luca Cigarini

[robdog]

I'm from Brazil, and a think this competition is absolutely unnecessary. Almost every year this kind of competitions... and players like Neymar commited with the Olympics also.

 

 

That's fine for the Brazilians/Argentinians and so on who compete in the WC every 4 years - but for other COMNEBOL nations like Bolivia, Peru and so on this is a huge tournament. 

 

TBF I am glad that this is a True American Tournament - This is a once in a lifetime opportunity - true there will be a lot of money made but hey I welcome the entertainment

[robdog]

On Friday the preliminary rosters were announced - IMHO Uruguay look like the side that committed most of their best - Brazil didn't include David Luiz, but William & Oscar are on the roster

[erskblue]

Peru - people of a certain age in Scotland, who remember the 1978 World Cup will never forget what they did to Scotland.

Ally McLeod completely under estimated them and they beat Scotland 3-1.

Edited May 8, 2016 by erskblue

[offside]

I think Mexico is a real dark horse. They will have "home advantage" for all the games, even the games against the United States.

Their fans are the most vile national team fans I've ever seen. Throwing disgusting stuff (urine and even poop) at the opposition players as they head into the tunnel. Sometimes even at their own players. It's a shame because their players have fine sportsmanship.

Edited May 13, 2016 by offside

[offside]

Several of the venues are in extremely hot and/or humid places. I think some of the places that can get really hot in the summer will be okay in June, but others will be very physically challenging especially for players coming from a season in Europe. Today it's 32C (90F) in Orlando.

By the way, awesome tournament logo.

Edited May 13, 2016 by offside

[robdog]

tournament starts next week - I wish I could have attended that opening match, since it is only a couple of hours away - I had to appropriate my funds to another type of adventure (another story) - so we have both Suarez & Messi hurt & will miss the opening matches for their countries - Paraguay had some major injuries as well - I am expecting some upsets in the making all around - can't wait for the party to get started

[robdog]

Colombia spanked The Yanks ass - we are happy that the score wasn't larger than what it was..2-0

[TheChelseaBlues]

Have a feeling Jurgen will be under serious pressure after we 'fail'. Why he insists on capping Jermaine Jones I dont understand

Edited June 4, 2016 by TheChelseaBlues

[Scott Harris]

What i just seen is the reason why i don't like South American football, they are the worst play actors in the game.

[Scott]

I really hope this tournament will finally  rid us of Klinsman.

[robdog]

What i just seen is the reason why i don't like South American football, they are the worst play actors in the game.

 

did you see the play where James got hurt? I think he flopped & in the process of falling down dislocated his shoulder

[TheChelseaBlues]

I really hope this tournament will finally rid us of Klinsman.

Gotta draw the line somewhere. He deserves credit for including new and young players but there doesnt seem to be any direction or identity. Hiddink would be the best choice for 2018 but he's done it seems. I dont know who we'll bring in after Jurgen

[robdog]

Gotta draw the line somewhere. He deserves credit for including new and young players but there doesnt seem to be any direction or identity. Hiddink would be the best choice for 2018 but he's done it seems. I dont know who we'll bring in after Jurgen

 

Sigi Schmid? Why not? Dude has won on every level he has coached

[offside]

did you see the play where James got hurt? I think he flopped & in the process of falling down dislocated his shoulder

Any update on him? Usually they can just pop the shoulder back in. There was a gymnast a few Olympics ago that dislocated his shoulder and was in pain screaming, but 15 minutes later he did his rings routine But occasionally you can tear muscles and tendons when you dislocate your shoulder.

[offside]

Sigi Schmid? Why not? Dude has won on every level he has coached

I'm not familiar with the Sigi Schmid, but I was thinking they might do well with a Pulis type. Someone who can grind out ugly wins with players of below average ability. I imagine Pulis wants to stay in Britain and if he were to coach a national team it would be Wales. On the other hand Pulis was willing to take some risks signing unknown MLS Americans, and I think Geoff Cameron had a pretty good relationship with him.

I was also thinking about Owen Coyle since he was coaching in the MLS but apparently he wanted to return to Britain, and now Blackburn have him.

Van Gaal might not be a bad choice to be honest. The players seem like the type van Gaal would like in that they'll buy into a clear system, take direction well, and work hard without complaining about being stifled since there's not much to be stifled in the first place.

The problem with Klinsmann in all the jobs he's done is that he doesn't have a clear system or approach.

Edited June 6, 2016 by offside