HexagonalBlog

Quarterfinals for Copa América

Here is the quarterfinal schedule for Copa América.  One half of the draw is complete; the other half will be confirmed after the Argentina-Paraguay match tomorrow.

QF1: Venezuela - Uruguay
QF2: Chile - Brazil
QF3: Mexico - Paraguay
QF4: Argentina - Peru

In the semis, the winner of QF1 plays the winner of QF2, and QF3 vs. QF4.

So Argentina and Brazil will be kept apart until the final.  The top half of the bracket consists of group rematches -- very odd for the quarterfinal round of a knockout phase.  Mexico is most likely hoping for an Argentina victory tomorrow, and Peru for Paraguay.  Mexico got their wish, but I think they will find Paraguay to be a challenging rival.  Paraguay did beat Mexico in Azteca earlier this year, so there's a revenge factor, too.

Copa América, Day 9

The group phase of the Copa América concludes with the third round of matches in Group C.  Colombia beat the USA 1-0 on a powerful header by Castrillón.  It was another frustrating match for the Americans, who had some nice combinations in the center of the field but created very few scoring opportunities.  Some players distinguished themselves on the field, but on the whole this Copa América has been a disappointment for the USA since the moment the 23-man squad was announced.  The USA join Ecuador as the only teams in the tournament without a point from group play. 

Next up: Argentina-Paraguay.

UPDATE: Sorry for the late update, but for the sake of completeness, Argentina beat Paraguay 1-0.  Argentina gets first in Group C, Paraguay gets second.

Copa América, Day 8

As expected, Chile and Mexico drew 0-0 in their final group match.  This result qualifies both teams to the quarterfinals and eliminates Colombia and the USA for further action.  In the second match, Brazil defeated Ecuador 1-0 on a Robinho penalty. 

The only meaningful match tomorrow is Argentina-Paraguay, which will decide who plays Mexico or Peru in the quarterfinals.

Copa América, Day 7

Tonight the final matches in Group A were played.  In the first match, Peru and Bolivia tied at two goals apiece.  DC United striker Jaime Moreno opened the scoring for Bolivia, but Claudio Pizarro equalized  10 minutes later.  Bolivia scored again through Jhasmany Campos at the stroke of halftime and appeared to be in control when Joel Herrera's expulsion reduced Peru to ten men.  But Pizarro connected on another set-piece in the closing minutes to give Peru a vital point.

In the second match, Uruguay and Venezuela completed a goalless draw.  Venezuela appeared to be the more lively side, especially in the second half, but couldn't close the deal. 

In the end, Venezuela wins the group, Peru finishes in second, and Uruguay passes to the quarters as one of the two best third-placed teams.  Now Chile need only a point to assure themselves passage to the quarterfinals -- and finish off the USA's faint hopes of advancing. 

Copa América, Day 6

Paraguay have just defeated the United States 3-1.  Paraguay scored first when Edgar Barretto finished a very well-worked play in the center of the field, and the USA equalized when Ricardo Clark struck and equally well-worked effort off a set piece.  In the second half Paraguay were the more energetic side and took the lead when Cardozo exploited a horror backpass to slot the ball past Keller, and in injury time Salvador Cabanas struck a perfect free-kick to finish the game.  As for the USA, too many open chances on goal that were unconverted, and too many shaky moments in the back.

Paraguay go through to the quarterfinals on this result.  The USA need a win and a lot of help to go through as one of the best third place teams.

More later after I take a walk around the block to cool off...

MORE:  Argentina beat Colombia 4-2 to book their place in the last eight.  They fell behind early but tied the match on a Crespo penalty (who managed to injure himself while taking it), and then took the lead on two goals by Riquelme.  First Riquelme surged into the penalty area to head a cross from Milito on the right, and then he threaded a free-kick through the wall into the goal in stoppage time of the first half.  Colombia scored in the final quarter-hour and pushed aggressively for the equalizer, but Argentina wrapped up the points when Milito's shot took a deflection off a Colombian player and went past Calero into the net. 

Copa América, the weekend

While I was checking out models on the beach, the second matches of the Copa América in Groups A and B were being played.  Uruguay-Bolivia and Venezuela-Peru were both cures for insomnia, but Uruguay snatched a 1-0 victory over the Bolivian side, and Venezuela won its first Copa América match in almost 40 years.  Both matches had controversial moments; Bolivia cried foul over a number of hard Uruguayan challenges that didn't draw yellow cards, Venezuela and Peru had a man sent off (Peru at the beginning, Venezuela at the end) and Peru had a penalty appeal turned down.  Both matches, incidentally, were refereed by CONCACAF officials.

On Sunday, Mexico became the first team to clinch a spot in the final eight by defeating Ecuador 2-1.  Once again, Nery Castillo made the difference -- he will almost certainly be a key part of the Mexican national team over the next 6-8 years.  Ecuador is now the first team eliminated from the tournament.  Robinho's hat-trick helped Brazil rout Chile 3-0 and rebound from their opening loss in a big way.  Now they sit in second place in Group B.

Looking back on USA-Argentina and looking ahead

Sorry for being away for a few days, I was stuck in South Beach for two days and my hotel didn't have a good internet connection.   And that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I was going to say more about the USA-Argentina match, and while I wasn't surprised by the final score, I felt the score reflected more the differences in skill/experience of the two sides than the play on the field.  For 65 minutes the Americans were frustrating the Argentine midfield and closing down the play in the final third.  Aside from the play that led to the first goal, I felt Riquelme was pretty much neutralized.  Unfortunately, Argentina also has Messi, and Coco Basile can also go to the bench and bring on Aimar.  In the end, Argentina's technical dominance and experience shone through and the USA's lack of experience was telling on the third and fourth goals.  Actually I knew that our chances were sunk when Ray Hudson was going on in his usual ultra-enthusiastic style about what a historic result that US men were obtaining.

Another thing:  in order to have success up front, the US strikers need to get some fortitude down below.  On the one play where Eddie Johnson surged forward and didn't try to lay the ball across the field, he drew a penalty.  On two or three other occasions he split the Argentine defense but failed to continue his run in on goal.  Very frustrating to watch.  As for Twellman, he was invisible and ineffective.

At a time like this it would be nice to call upon the more experienced players like Donovan, Dempsey, and Beasley to guide the younger players, but the US doesn't have that option.  And it seems to me that the group that could really use some guidance is the defensive unit.  I don't think it will get any better in the back -- there just isn't a lot of good talent on the backline right now, and the U-20 effort against South Korea doesn't inspire confidence.

I don't think Paraguay will score five goals against the USA like they did against Colombia, but it will be difficult for the American strikers to break through the Paraguayan defense if they aren't brave.  I wouldn't be surprised to see the match end 0-0 or 1-0 to Paraguay.

Copa América, Day 3

Tonight at the Copa América...Paraguay routed Colombia 5-0 on the strength of a hat-trick by Roque Santa Cruz.  Colombia had a chance to take the lead on 28' via a penalty, but Alvaro Dominguez's shot was weak and easily saved by Justo Villar.  Two minutes later, Santa Cruz took off on the left side and slotted the ball past the Colombian keeper to give Paraguay the lead.  It was 2-0 almost immediately after the second half kickoff when Santa Cruz broke away again and cooly finished.  In the last 10 minutes Colombia's defense disintegrated as Cabanas scored a pair and Santa Cruz added his third.  A comprehensive victory by Paraguay, and a comprehensive collapse by Colombia.

I'd write something about the USA-Argentina game, but I need to collect my thoughts and post something tomorrow.  Besides, it's late, I have a 7am flight tomorrow, and I want to hit South Beach one more time.  Later.

Copa América, Day 2

Wow.  What an incredible day of matches at the Copa América today.  First, Chile came back twice from a goal down and scored two goals in the last ten minutes to defeat Ecuador 3-2.  The difference maker for Chile was Carlos Villanueva, who came on in the final 20 minutes and set up the tying goal and scored the equalizer from a sublime freekick.  I was only able to watch the last 20 minutes and the commentators said that the score did not reflect the match as Ecuador did more than enough to gain at least a point.   It certainly didn't look that way toward the end; the Ecuadorean players lacked a sense of urgency after the third Chilean goal in a way that was shocking to me. 

(There seemed to be a delay in the start of the match, or some disruption that kept it from completing on time.  I'm not sure what the cause of the delay was.)

The second match had an even more incredible result - Mexico defeated Brazil 2-0.  Nery Castillo opened the scoring with a goal that was simply exquisite -- he received the ball from Juan Carlos Cacho on the right, flicked the ball over the Brazilian defender's head, and poked the ball past the advancing Doni on the volley.  One of the best goals I have ever seen in the Copa América.  Mexico extended the lead when Ramon Morales struck a curling free kick over the wall and into the near corner.  Doni was so stunned by the trajectory that he motioned toward the ball, then stopped and watched it settle into the net.  Mexico had enough holes open up in the back for Brazil to score and perhaps equalize, but the Brazilians never found their rhythm.  They did come close several times, hitting the crossbar, a Mexican player on the line, and Mexican 'keeper Guillermo Ochoa himself.  But as the frustration mounted, the more disorganized and disjointed the attacks became. 

So now, Mexico and Chile lead Group B with three points, and Ecuador and Brazil trail them with none.  Mexico play Ecuador on Sunday, while Chile go up against a very motivated (and angered) Brazil.

Copa América, Day 1

Peru sprang the first big upset of the Copa América by defeating Uruguay 3-0.  The result may come as a surprise to most of the world, but probably not to a lot of Uruguayans.  I once had a conversation with a colleague from Uruguay in which I expressed my surprise that Uruguay wasn't able to achieve much success on their national team with the stars that they have.  My friend responded, "Well, the problem is that they only meet each other on the plane!"

In the second Group A match, Bolivia came back twice to draw with Venezuela 2-2.  I expected Venezuela to win this match, so this match could be seen as an upset as well. 

After driving around a bit through downtown Miami and then South Beach last night, I'm realizing that watching the Copa here will be much much easier than I thought.  So I'll watch tonight's matches across the street from my hotel.