Copa America 2015: Full Schedule, TV Info and Players to Watch in Chile

The Copa America has been determining the best soccer team in South America ever since 1916, and it will continue to do so nearly a century later in Chile, as CONMEBOL's signature event is once again on the horizon.

Uruguay will look to defend its title from 2011, but it will have no shortage of competition from the likes of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and host Chile. Even CONCACAF invitees Mexico and Jamaica will try their hand at becoming the first outsiders to be crowned Copa America champions.

With the tournament set to begin Thursday, here is a full rundown of the entire schedule, complete with viewing information and a look at the players who are likely to have the biggest impact on the 2015 Copa America.

Copa America Schedule

Date	Time (ET)	Home	Away	Watch	Type
June 11	7:30 p.m.	Chile	Ecuador	beIN Sports	Group Match
June 12	7:30 p.m.	Mexico	Bolivia	beIN Sports	Group Match
June 13	3 p.m.	Uruguay	Jamaica	beIN Sports	Group Match
June 13	5:30 p.m.	Argentina	Paraguay	beIN Sports	Group Match
June 14	3 p.m.	Colombia	Venezuela	beIN Sports	Group Match
June 14	5:30 p.m.	Brazil	Peru	beIN Sports	Group Match
June 15	5 p.m.	Ecuador	Bolivia	beIN Sports	Group Match
June 15	7:30 p.m.	Chile	Mexico	beIN Sports	Group Match
June 16	5 p.m.	Paraguay	Jamaica	beIN Sports	Group Match
June 16	7:30 p.m.	Argentina	Uruguay	beIN Sports	Group Match
June 17	8 p.m.	Brazil	Colombia	beIN Sports	Group Match
June 18	7:30 p.m.	Peru	Venezuela	beIN Sports	Group Match
June 19	5 p.m.	Mexico	Ecuador	beIN Sports	Group Match
June 19	7:30 p.m.	Chile	Bolivia	beIN Sports	Group Match
June 20	3 p.m.	Uruguay	Paraguay	beIN Sports	Group Match
June 20	5:30 p.m.	Argentina	Jamaica	beIN Sports	Group Match
June 21	3 p.m.	Colombia	Peru	beIN Sports	Group Match
June 21	5:30 p.m.	Brazil	Venezuela	beIN Sports	Group Match
June 24	7:30 p.m.	TBD	TBD	beIN Sports	Quarterfinal
June 25	7:30 p.m.	TBD	TBD	beIN Sports	Quarterfinal
June 26	7:30 p.m.	TBD	TBD	beIN Sports	Quarterfinal
June 27	5:30 p.m.	TBD	TBD	beIN Sports	Quarterfinal
June 29	7:30 p.m.	TBD	TBD	beIN Sports	Semifinal
June 30	7:30 p.m.	TBD	TBD	beIN Sports	Semifinal
July 3	7:30 p.m.	TBD	TBD	beIN Sports	Third Place
July 4	5 p.m.	TBD	TBD	beIN Sports	Final

Copa America Players to Watch

Lionel Messi

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

There is no more electrifying and talented player in the world than Lionel Messi, and the FC Barcelona megastar will put that on full display for his country when he leads Argentina into Chile for the 2015 Copa America.

Messi is fresh off winning the Spanish treble with Barca—as it defeated Juventus in the Champions League final—and he will look to keep that positive momentum rolling in a tournament that La Albiceleste has not won since 1993.

While Argentina's 14 Copa America titles are second only to Uruguay, its fans have been waiting over two decades for No. 15. As pointed out by Messi himself, the Argentinians have struggled to win international titles in recent years, according to SuperSport:

They came agonizingly close at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but they ultimately fell to Germany in the final. While nothing can measure up to winning the World Cup, Messi believes that prevailing in the Copa America would go a long way toward healing the pain suffered last summer, per Goal.com:

"

I'd love to win the Copa America for everything it would mean for us after enjoying a spectacular World Cup and coming so close. This Argentina generation wants to win and we're aware that we are the favorites. As a team, we deserve to win something. We know that it would be the best thing ever to end the season by lifting the Copa America.

"

Most of the pressure will fall on Messi's shoulders, although he won't be alone with Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero and many others providing support.

The 27-year-old forward dazzled the globe with his incredible performance at the World Cup last year, and if he turns in a similar showing in the Copa America, Argentina's trophy drought figures to come to an end.

Neymar

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

While it can be argued that nobody is capable of overshadowing Messi, Neymar has made a case for it at times over the years. He matched the Argentinian star shot for shot at the World Cup on his home soil last year, and he also shines nearly as brightly as Messi and teammates with FC Barcelona.

Messi is the more productive player, but Neymar's flash and flair have made him just as popular. He also came through in some big moments for Barca, most notably the Champions League final as he scored in the 3-1 win.

According to beINSports.tv, Brazilian head coach Dunga believes Neymar is in ideal form entering the Copa America:

"

In my opinion this is good for the Brazilian football as a whole, having a player scoring in the final and winning the Champions League. For Brazil this is very good. As I said before, I was happy to see Barcelona playing that match because it will keep Neymar very motivated so it was good for us.

"

Neymar shouldn't need any extra motivation to win, though, as he watched his team get dominated in both the World Cup semifinal and the third-place game by Germany and the Netherlands respectively while nursing an injury.

That had to have been a tough pill to swallow, but he now has a chance to put that completely in the past. Brazil has won four of the past six Copa America titles, and a fifth in seven years is very much within reach.

Neymar may have to out-duel his pal Messi in order to make it happen, but he has certainly shown an ability to compete with anyone in the world when he is at his best.

Alexis Sanchez

Ian Walton/Getty Images

Chile have been metaphorical bridesmaids many times at the Copa America with four runner-up finishes. It has never lifted the trophy before, but thanks to home-field advantage and the presence of spectacular striker Alexis Sanchez, it has a shot to make some history.

Sanchez was Chile's best player at the 2014 World Cup with two goals and a bevy of chances created, and he used that great showing as a launching to an incredible first season in the EPL.

The 26-year-old forward scored 25 goals and turned in one of the best debut campaigns in Arsenal history, according to the club's official Twitter account:

Chile may not be among the favorites like Argentina and Brazil, but it is a talented team that had a great run at the World Cup, and it seemed poised to take that next step.

Per SuperSport, Sanchez believes that playing in front of the Chilean fans will bring the entire squad added motivation:

Sanchez played like he has something to prove with the Gunners this past season, as he wanted to show that he belonged in the Premier League. One can only assume that there will be an even bigger chip on his shoulder at the Copa America.

Chile need a big win to enter the elite ranks in CONMEBOL, and Sanchez will do everything in his power to make that happen.

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