Copa America Preview

      Yesterday, I shared my predictions for Euro 2020 with you all. But that is just one part of this big summer of soccer that we are heading in to. We also have the Gold Cup next month and starting this weekend is the Copa America.

     So, today I figured I should share some predictions for the upcoming Copa America in Brazil. The format will be similar to yesterday's entry. I will share who I think are the favorites and then some potential dark horses to win the competition.

     Admittedly, doing this list for the Copa America is a little bit more difficult than it is with the Euros, simply because there are more teams competing in the European Championships. But this is one of the most talented regions in the world, so let us begin this look into the upcoming South American championships.

The Favorites:

Brazil: Even to those who are not the most passionate followers of soccer, it probably comes as little surprise to know that Brazil are considered to be the odds on favorite to win it all. For starters, they are hosting the competition after Argentina elected not to host due to COVID-19 and the tournament was removed from Colombia due to civil unrest. While some in Brazil - including their own players - have stated that the tournament should not be held there either, the Copa America is in South America's largest nation for the second consecutive edition. No matter the circumstances, no matter the tournament, the most successful nation in the history of men's international soccer always have huge expectations on them. Brazil lifted the trophy in 2019 and the same will certainly be expected again. They have gotten off to a tremendous start in South American World Cup Qualifying that currently sees them in first place. Their superstar, Neymar, is healthy and in good form. Brazil also feature two of the world's best goalkeepers in Alisson and Ederson and they have enormous talent available off the bench. Top to bottom, Brazil are loaded and they are my pick to win Copa America.

Argentina: Believe it or not, Lionel Messi still has yet to win a trophy at the senior international level for Argentina. It really does feel as though his chances of ever winning one with the national team are slipping away. Messi and Argentina lost two consecutive Copa America Finals in back-to-back years to Chile, with Messi missing a penalty in the 2016 final at MetLife Stadium. Without question, Messi will be hungry. His status with Barcelona is uncertain at the moment and he will be looking to prove a point this summer. The question is - and this really has been the question for many years for Argentina - can the supporting cast around Messi do their part? Argentina let a two goal lead slip away at Colombia in World Cup Qualifying earlier this week, so they will be looking to make amends for that as well. Even with all of that having been said, Argentina have a very talented team and a generational type of player in their ranks. As such, they will always be considered to be one of the favorites. But the window may be closing for Lionel Messi to lift international silverware.

Uruguay: This may come as a surprise to a lot of people, but neither Brazil nor Argentina have won the most Copa America titles. That honor belongs to Uruguay. This small nation with a population of under three and a half million people has had such a prolonged history of punching above their weight that they are now almost always considered to be one of the favorites any time that they arrive at a major tournament. Uruguay are led by superstars Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, who will put pressure on any defense that they come up against. They also have the added benefit of experience at the back. Veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and highly-experienced center back Diego Godin will marshal the Uruguayan defense.  Uruguay have been a bit inconsistent in World Cup Qualifying, but I fully expect them to at least get to the semifinal stage of the competition.

The Sleeper Teams

Colombia: Colombia have had a disappointing start to their World Cup Qualifying campaign. While they would have preferred a win at home, they will certainly feel galvanized after a big second half comeback to earn a point in their last match against Argentina. Colombia do have big injury problems, though. Two of their biggest stars, James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao, have been struggling for fitness and, as a result, they both were left off of Colombia's roster. They still do have a lot of talent and experience in the team. Colombia will need players such as Juan Cuadrado and Yerry Mina to have a huge impact on this tournament.

Ecuador: Ecuador have the capability to push some of the bigger teams. Without question, they did not do enough to win the game, but they played well, overall, in their 2-0 loss at Brazil earlier in the week. Only a late penalty that was converted by Neymar (after the VAR official ordered for it to be retaken) pushed Brazil's lead to two goals. Ecuador have had to replace Enner and Antonio Valencia, but they definitely have the potential to still be around in the later rounds of the tournament, and they could cause an upset or two on the way. I would not be surprised to see the Ecuadoreans make some noise in this Copa America.

Chile: Chile ended their long wait for a trophy when they defeated Lionel Messi and Argentina in the final in 2015. They followed that up with another triumph - once again at the expense of Argentina - in the Copa America Centenario Final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the following summer. One year later, Chile finished as runners-up in the FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia after they lost to Germany in the final of that tournament. But since then, La Roja have hit some difficult times. They shockingly failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2018 and they were beaten in the semifinals of the Copa America in Brazil two years ago. But their star man Alexis Sanchez is coming off a league title winning season in Italy with his club team, Inter. If Sanchez can have the type of strong tournament that he has proven himself to be capable of, then Chile could certainly put themselves in the mix to lift the trophy when it is all said and done.

     Having attended a match in the Copa America Centenario at Soldier Field in Chicago five years ago, I can tell you first hand how exciting this tournament is. I cannot wait to watch it all play out. I predict that Brazil will hold on to their continental crown. There are so many storylines in this tournament. One thing is for sure, this will be a competition that you will not want to miss.