Copa America: Predicting the Outcome of the CONMEBOL Tournament
There's no such thing as too much football! The club leagues finish up, and then, the focus is shifted to the Gold Cup. Now with the Gold Cup finished with Mexico's 4-2 victory over the United States, the soccer world fixes its eyes towards Argentina—home of the 2011 Copa America Tournament.
The tournament will host all 10 South American countries as well as Mexico and El Salvador. Three groups. Four teams each group. Two advance to the quarterfinals, and we go from there. The final will be played on June 24th in Buenos Aires.
In this slideshow, I will give my predictions on what will take place in the CONMEBOL Tournament that starts on July 1st with Argentina taking on Bolivia. From the group stage points by team, round-by-round predictions and the winner of the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball (MVP) of the tournament. Well, let's get started shall we?
Group A
1 of 7Team W T L Points
Argentina 2 1 0 7
Colombia 1 2 0 5
Bolivia 1 1 1 4
Costa Rica 0 0 3 0
El Salvador had a nice little showing in the Gold Cup, almost making it to the semifinals before falling to Honduras. But I don't see them hanging with South American competition. In the end, Messi and Argentina will be too much even with a tie to Colombia. Colombia advancing along with them to the quarterfinals. Bolivia will make it through because they will have the most points between the other two third place teams.
Group B
2 of 7Team W T L Points
Brazil 3 0 0 9
Paraguay 2 0 1 6
Ecuador 0 1 2 1
Venezuela 0 1 2 1
Brazil escapes the group, easily. Paraguay could be a little bit of a challenge, but I doubt it. I do see the 2010 World Cup qualifiers advancing to the quarterfinals though. Don't see the other two South American squads advancing past group play.
Group C
3 of 7Team W T L Points
Mexico 1 2 0 5
Uruguay 1 2 0 5
Chile 0 3 0 2
Peru 0 1 2 1
By far the toughest group in this tournament. Three of the four teams not only made it to South Africa in 2010, but they made it to the knockout stage in group play. The two advancing by points will be Uruguay, the fourth place finisher in 2010 and...Mexico.
The Mexican's youth have been praised, and they are maturing and coming to full force, as seen in the Gold Cup. Both Uruguay and Mexico beat Peru, but tie with Chile and each other. Chile ties with everyone, and Peru scores a point. Mexico outscores Uruguay and wins the group. The youth and talent are finally here, and I believe Mexico is a force to be reckoned with.
Quarterfinals
4 of 7Group A Champion Argentina vs. Group C Third Place Chile
Chile advances off points, but their trip ends short. They fall to Messi and company, 3-1.
Group A runner-up Colombia vs. Group C Runner-Up Uruguay
Uruguay advances to the semifinals easily, winning 4-1. Tandem of Suarez and Forlan is just too much for a lot of teams in the world, let alone this tournament.
Group B Champion Brazil vs. Group A Third Place Bolivia
Bolivia advances as the other third place team to qualify, but Brazil rolls, 5-0.
Group C Champion Mexico vs. Group B Runner-Up Paraguay
Mexico again shows they are here to make a mark in the game of football, winning 2-0.
Semifinals
5 of 7Argentina vs. Uruguay
I don't think a lot of people predicted that Uruguay would finish in fourth in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and that Argentina would be ousted in the quarterfinals. But it happened. Argentina is ready to prove they are a better squad than Uruguay. I believe they win 3-2. Close game. Forlan and Suarez are both very talented, but Messi, Tevez, Di Maria and the rest pull of the victory to advance to the Final.
Brazil vs. Mexico
I have no doubt that Mexico is now a threat to any team in the world, but if they want to solidify theirselves as contenders in 2014, they need to beat the host in 2014 and the most decorated country in all of football. Do I think they will? I think this will be a fantastic game, but no.
Hernandez, Dos Santos, Guardado and Juarez will get their chances, but the Mexican defense still isn't exactly what you would call elite. Brazil wins this match, 2-1. Brazil has the defensive backfield that can at least slow down Chicharito and the rest of that speedy and athletic Mexican attack. We have ourselves an Argentina vs. Brazil final.
Final
6 of 7Brazil vs. Argentina
Home-field advantage for Argentina, as well as having the best player in the world. Gonna give it to the Argentinians. 1-0 match. Very conservative play by both teams, but at the end of the day, Messi brings home some silverware before getting ready for another season in La Liga and a shot at the Confederations Cup in 2013 against their rival and opponent, Brazil.
Golden Boot/Golden Ball Players
7 of 7Golden Boot
1. Lionel Messi Argentina
2. Javier Hernandez Mexico
3. Diego Forlan Uruguay
Messi will dominate the average and good teams to get enough goals to lead the tournament. Chicharito will challenge him though. Could easily see Hernandez showcasing his talents to the fullest in this tournament as well. Forlan will get his chances as usual. I see him scoring on a few set pieces. Still impressed with his performances in South Africa...
Golden Ball (MVP)
1. Lionel Messi Argentina
2. Javier Hernandez Mexico
3. Robinho Brazil
With the best player in the world, it's hard to not give him some sort of an award with everything he does. Chicharito, again, will give him a challenge. Robinho or another Brazillian player will also be up for consideration.
