Football

The United States' Copa America campaign came to an abrupt end on July 1st, as they suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Uruguay in their final Group C match. The loss marked the end of a tournament that had been filled with both promise and frustration for the American side.Team USA entered the Copa America with high hopes, having won the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2021. However, their campaign got off to a rocky start with a shock 2-1 defeat to Panama last Thursday. That result left the Americans needing to match or better Panama's result against Bolivia in their final group game to advance to the knockout stages.But US coach Gregg Berhalter's side never looked like doing enough to seriously threaten a well-drilled Uruguay outfit who advanced to the last eight as group winners. "It's difficult to say right now, obviously the emotions are running high," said a disappointed US captain Christian Pulisic. "We had a good start and brought a lot of energy, but just didn't have enough quality. We just couldn't find a solution."Hopes of a great escape for the tournament hosts faded inside the first 30 minutes, as news filtered through that Panama had taken a 1-0 lead against Bolivia in Orlando. Those hopes were revived early in the second half after Bolivia equalised to make it 1-1, leaving the US on course for qualification provided they continued to hold Uruguay.Yet the US optimism was punctured just moments later when Uruguay took the lead in controversial circumstances through Mathias Olivera on 66 minutes. Ronald Araujo's powerful header from Nicolas de la Cruz's free-kick was parried away by US goalkeeper Matt Turner, but only into the path of Olivera, who tucked away the rebound. Replays appeared to show that Olivera was offside when Araujo first made contact with the ball, but despite a lengthy VAR review, Peruvian referee Kevin Ortega ruled that the goal should stand.The mathematics of qualification looked even more bleak for the US after news that Panama had scored again through Eduardo Guerrero to regain the lead at 2-1, and the final nail in the coffin came when Cesar Yanis added a third for Panama in stoppage time.The USA's first-round exit raises fresh questions about the future of US coach Berhalter, who remains deeply unpopular amongst swathes of American fans. Berhalter was only reappointed to the US job in June last year following a hiatus after leading the team to the 2022 World Cup. Yet the nature of Monday's early exit is certain to reignite debate about whether he is the best man to lead the United States into the 2026 World Cup on home soil.Failure to defeat Uruguay, 14th in the latest FIFA rankings, extends Berhalter's poor record against top 20 teams. Berhalter has just five wins in 20 matches against top-20 teams during his reign, and four of those victories came against regional rivals Mexico — who were also been eliminated from the Copa in the first round.That dismal sequence continued after a toothless attacking performance from Berhalter's side against Uruguay, where they registered only three shots on goal in a misfiring offensive display. US defender Antonee Robinson described the officiating as "amateur hour" but stressed responsibility for the defeat lay with the American players. "Just not enough quality in the final third," Robinson said. "At the end of the day we weren't good enough to get the result today. This is on us."

Copa America 2023: Argentina Aims for Continental Glory Amidst Messi's Uncertain FutureThe 108-year-old Copa America kicks off on Thursday in the United States, with world champions Argentina seeking their second continental title in what could be Lionel Messi's final appearance in the tournament.Argentina, 15-time Copa America winners, will be led by Messi, who is looking to add to his 2021 triumph. Coach Lionel Scaloni has largely retained his World Cup-winning squad, with veterans Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi likely making their final major tournament appearances.Messi's future in international football remains uncertain. The 36-year-old has yet to decide whether he will participate in a record sixth World Cup in 2026. "I won't take part in a World Cup just to say I've done six," Messi said recently.Argentina faces a tough group stage, with matches against Canada, Chile, and Peru. However, the real challenges await in the knockout rounds, where rivals Brazil and Uruguay are expected to be the main contenders.Brazil, despite struggling in World Cup qualifiers, boasts a talented squad led by Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo. Uruguay, under coach Marcelo Bielsa, has impressed with recent wins over Argentina and Brazil.Other teams to watch include Colombia, unbeaten in over two years, and the United States, hoping to generate excitement after a disappointing World Cup performance.The Copa America is not only a trial event for the 2026 World Cup but also a prestigious tournament in its own right. The presence of significant immigrant communities from all competing nations is expected to ensure large crowds at the NFL stadiums hosting the matches.

The Copa America 2024, the prestigious football tournament of the Americas, will make its second venture outside South America, with the United States hosting the 48th edition from June 21 to July 15.Defending champions Argentina, led by the legendary Lionel Messi, will kick off the tournament against debutants Canada at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The tournament will feature 16 top teams from the Americas, divided into four groups.Group A consists of Argentina, Peru, Chile, and Canada; Group B includes Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Jamaica; Group C features the United States, Uruguay, Panama, and Bolivia; and Group D comprises Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, and Costa Rica.The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, with the final scheduled to take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on July 15. Fourteen stadiums across the US will host the matches.Uruguay, the joint-most successful team in Copa America history with 15 titles, will be looking to Federico Valverde and Darwin Nunez to guide them to their first title since 2011. Brazil, the nine-time champions, will aim to avenge their loss to Argentina in the last final, with Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, and Endrick leading their charge.Colombia, with James Rodriguez and Luis Diaz in their ranks, will also be a contender for the title. The tournament promises thrilling matches and intense rivalries, with the best football teams from the Americas vying for the coveted trophy.

Copa America 2023: Argentina Aim for Continental Glory Amidst Messi's Farewell TourThe 108-year-old Copa America kicks off on Thursday in the United States, with world champions Argentina seeking their second continental title in what could be Lionel Messi's final appearance in the tournament.Argentina, 15-time Copa America winners, have assembled a squad largely unchanged from their World Cup-winning team. Veterans Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi are likely making their final major tournament appearances.Messi, now 36, has yet to decide if he will participate in a record sixth World Cup in 2026. However, he is determined to make the most of this Copa America, having won it only once in 2021.Argentina face Canada, Chile, and Peru in Group A. However, they anticipate stiff competition in the knockout stages, with Brazil and Uruguay emerging as the primary challengers.Brazil, despite recent struggles in World Cup qualifiers, boast a talented squad led by Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo. Uruguay, under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa, have impressed with recent victories over Argentina and Brazil.Colombia, unbeaten in over two years, pose a threat with Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez in their ranks. The United States, hosting the tournament for the second time, hope to generate excitement after a disappointing World Cup performance.The Copa America 2023 promises to be a captivating spectacle, showcasing the best of South American football and providing a glimpse of the future stars of the game.

The Copa America, South America's premier international football tournament, is set to return in 2024 with a captivating lineup of teams and a rich history. The tournament will feature 16 nations, including 10 from the CONMEBOL confederation and 6 from the CONCACAF confederation.Argentina and Uruguay stand as the most successful teams in Copa America history, each having won the championship 15 times. However, the tournament has also witnessed the rise of other formidable teams, such as Brazil, Chile, and Colombia.In the 2024 edition, two countries from CONMEBOL, Ecuador and Venezuela, will be aiming to break their Copa America title droughts. Ecuador has never won the tournament, while Venezuela's best result was a fourth-place finish in 2011.Canada, a member of the CONCACAF confederation, will make its debut in the Copa America in 2024. The Canadians will be eager to prove their mettle against the best teams in South America.Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine forward, holds the record for the most appearances in Copa America history. He has played in 16 matches, scoring 13 goals and providing 11 assists.The 1959 Copa America holds a unique distinction as the only edition to have been played twice. Argentina and Ecuador hosted the tournament in different years, with Argentina emerging victorious on both occasions.In 1987, Carlos Valderrama of Colombia became the first player to receive the official Best Player of the Tournament award. Since then, the award has been given to some of the most iconic players in South American football, including Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, and Neymar.Dunga of Brazil holds the unique distinction of winning the Copa America both as a player and a coach. He led Brazil to victory in 1989 and 1997 as a player, and again in 2007 as a coach.The 2024 Copa America promises to be an unforgettable spectacle, showcasing the passion, skill, and rivalry that have made South American football so beloved around the world.