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| 28 May 2016 10:30 AM |
I predicted 7/8 of the quarterfinalists correctly from the 2015 Copa América (literally no one saw Bolivia coming so I think I'm good there) so let's see how I do for this edition of the Copa. Group A is obviously the group of death, and I'd say Group B is pretty tough too. Let's make some predictions!
GROUP A: Colombia, Costa Rica, Paraguay, United States A loaded Colombia squad highlights this group, featuring keeper David Ospina, World Cup top scorer James Rodriguez, and Best Young Player of the 2015 Copa América Jeison Murillo. I expect Colombia to take this group easily with the full 9 points. Costa Rica returns nearly everyone from the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2015 Gold Cup squad, including keeper Keylor Navas as well as striker duo Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell. I expect this squad to fight with both Paraguay and the United States and ultimately advance to the knockout stage. The United States enters with Brad Guzan expected to start over Tim Howard for the first time at a tournament and with teenage sensation Christian Pulisic expected to shine. I expect the United States to finish 3rd, and unfortunately, not advance to the knockout stages. Paraguay, with striker duo Haedo Valdez and Derlis Gonzalez, will still make an impressive showing despite probably finishing last.
PREDICTION: Colombia and Costa Rica to the knockout stage. United States 3rd.
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GROUP B: Brazil, Ecuador, Haiti, Peru Brazil bowed out early at the last Copa América against Paraguay, and due to Douglas Costa's injury, Kaká now gets a chance to play in the exact same stadium where he plays! I expect Brazil to go through as the group winner with ease. The real contest of this group, however, is between Ecuador and Peru. While Ecuador brings a loaded squad that sits 2nd in World Cup qualifying, Peru brings a mostly young and inexperienced squad and has been 3rd place in the last two editions of the Copa América. Despite my hopes of an upset, I think Ecuador led by Enner Valencia, Jefferson Montero, Antonio Valencia, and a recently in-form Christian Noboa should take care of Peru with two-time top Copa América goalscorer Paolo Guerrero and youngsters Christian Cueva and Luiz da Silva. Haiti's task should just be to not get blown out every match, so Jean Sony and Haiti's back line and keeper Johnny Placide will have to stay strong and focused.
PREDICTION: Brazil and Ecuador to the knockout stage. Peru 3rd.
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GROUP C: Jamaica, Mexico, Uruguay, Venezuela The more-than-obvious no-(crap)-sherlock group winners should be Uruguay, led by Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. No notable injuries have impacted the squad yet, and Uruguay should have zero problem getting through to the next round. The battle for 2nd will be contested between Mexico and Venezuela, the latter dealing with political turmoil at home and recent issues with the football team. If Venezuela's squad can get past these issues, look for them to edge out Mexico for 2nd place. Led by Salomon Rondon and Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, Venezuela should end up with at least 4 points. Mexico, led by a slew of strikers such as Chicharito, Tecatito, Raul Jimenez, and Oribe Peralta with Guillermo Ochoa in goal, enter familiar territory with plenty of Mexican-American fans, and are regarded to as the second home team in this tournament as they play in Arizona, California, and Texas. For now, I think Mexico should be the second team out of this group. Giles Barnes will have to carry a Jamaica squad not known for good attacking if they seek to garner a point in their group.
PREDICTION: Uruguay and Mexico to the knockout stage. Venezuela 3rd.
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GROUP D: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Panama Wow. This one's another shooooocker. Look for Argentina and Chile to get out of this group easily, with a real headline being the match between these two teams in Santa Clara as the rematch of the 2015 Copa América final. Argentina will look to seek revenge, and I think the Argentines will narrowly defeat Chile with a chip on their shoulder to get the full 9 points to get out of the group. I think Sergio Aguero has a real shot to be top scorer of this edition of the Copa América. As for Chile, look out for the trio of Arturo Vidal, Alexis Sanchez, and Eduardo Vargas as well as keeper and captain Claudio Bravo. Each one of them should have a world-class performance as they oust Panama and Bolivia's chances to advance to the knockout stage. I think Blas Perez, Luis Tejada, and Panama will edge out 2015 Copa América one-hit wonder recently-struggling Bolivia for 3rd place. Martin Smedberg-Dalence will need the tournament of his life and Bolivia will need a massive upset of Chile if they seek to keep their tournament hopes alive.
PREDICTION: Argentina and Chile to the knockout stage. Panama 3rd.
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MY ODDS OF TEAM-BY-TEAM FURTHEST POSSIBLE STAGE:
Argentina: Champion Bolivia: Group Stage Brazil: Champion Chile: Champion Colombia: Champion Ecuador: Third Place Jamaica: Group Stage Mexico: Quarterfinal Panama: Group Stage Paraguay: Group Stage Peru: Third Place United States: Fourth Place Uruguay: Second Place Venezuela: Quarterfinal |
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Texafy
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| Joined: 10 Jun 2014 |
| Total Posts: 3559 |
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| 28 May 2016 10:40 AM |
| The USA SHOULD get out of Group A. It's not a hard group. The fact that we don't expect them to finish top 2 there says how much Jurgen has wrecked this program. |
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| 28 May 2016 10:41 AM |
"The fact that we don't expect them to finish top 2 there says how much Jurgen has wrecked this program."
On paper it's really not a hard group at all, but unfortunately, you're right. "Wrecked" is really the correct term to describe what JK has done to this team |
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| 29 May 2016 11:04 PM |
| You know, I'm starting to have thoughts about the USA moving on to the next round. That's really the only change I'm willing to consider though |
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| 29 May 2016 11:05 PM |
| USA should move on, I'd really like to see Nagbe and Pulisic get some good minutes |
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| 29 May 2016 11:10 PM |
| Nagbe and Pulisic have been great so far, But I could only see them starting the second game against Costa Rica. |
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tgross25
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| Joined: 26 Oct 2009 |
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| 29 May 2016 11:12 PM |
| If the US doesn't get out of the group is JK sacked? |
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TForcier
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| 29 May 2016 11:13 PM |
@TG Long overdue, but probably. |
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| 29 May 2016 11:14 PM |
| @Jimbo Because the US is going to want to rest their players |
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| 29 May 2016 11:17 PM |
| That seems a bit random, I would assume Klinsmann is going to rest noone and just picking the best lineup for each match, and Nagbe/Pulisic will start when needed. Personally I'd be fine with having them be 45' subs, with Pulisic providing a chance in pace and Nagbe providing a comfortable outlet for passing. |
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| 29 May 2016 11:25 PM |
| the us isn't getting past costa rica considering their only good player (and he's really good) is a 17/18 yo kid who's gotten a few starts for bvb. |
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tgross25
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| Joined: 26 Oct 2009 |
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| 29 May 2016 11:26 PM |
@Harlequins How does it feel to know Rostov wasn't doping all along |
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| 29 May 2016 11:28 PM |
"How does it feel to know Rostov wasn't doping all along"
when you hear >RUSSIAN SIDE< and >DOPING< it doesn't take a genius (well i hope not anyway) to assume the 2 are connected.
also they lost to cska who at least won't get rekt in the ucl so that's something.
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| 29 May 2016 11:30 PM |
| LOL if Christian Noboa and Sardar Azmoun stay with Rostov through the UCL playoff round they might not make it through but they won't be "rekt". Get real lol |
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| 29 May 2016 11:40 PM |
"LOL if Christian Noboa and Sardar Azmoun stay with Rostov through the UCL playoff round they might not make it through but they won't be "rekt". Get real lol"
something tells me fc rostov will get smashed if they have to face man city, borussia monchengladbach, monaco or even villarreal, porto, roma, ajax and even celtic lol.
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Texafy
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| Joined: 10 Jun 2014 |
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| 30 May 2016 12:04 AM |
"the us isn't getting past costa rica considering their only good player (and he's really good) is a 17/18 yo kid who's gotten a few starts for bvb."
costa rica isn't a world beater they're really not that good at all dude and the us hasn't lost to them in years they just beat costa rica a couple months ago in a friendly
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| 30 May 2016 03:40 AM |
| between navas, ruiz, campbell and duarte, that's better than anything the us has. |
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Texafy
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| Joined: 10 Jun 2014 |
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| 30 May 2016 05:25 PM |
you are absolutely delusional
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| 30 May 2016 05:28 PM |
football is hard to predict because anything can happen, but i would go the same route you did if i did my predictions except maybe tweek up group A a bit
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| 30 May 2016 09:49 PM |
"you are absolutely delusional"
sorry. pulisic is on par with those guys and actually better than some of them too (ruiz, campbell). but, facts remain facts, costa rica > usa (right now).
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bookface6
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| Joined: 24 Dec 2010 |
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| 30 May 2016 10:01 PM |
does the us have a better keeper than navas? no. does the us have a better defender than duarte? no.
you're the ones in denial here. |
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| 31 May 2016 02:33 PM |
| Navas is injured and wont play idiot |
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