THE DARK HORSES
USA
The USA are unlikely to pose
any real challenge to win Copa
América, but as hosts they may
just have the edge over fellow
minnows.
A number of European-based
players are expected to make an
appearance in the tournament,
including in-form Dortmund
wide-man Christian Pulisic,
Geoff Cameron of Stoke City,
Borussia Monchengladbach’s
Fabian Johnson and
Sunderland’s pacey full-back
DeAndre Yedlin.
Many USMNT fans have
grown disillusioned with Jürgen
Klinsmann’s team selections,
leaving this tournament as
potentially his last chance
to win them over given the
nation’s struggles in World Cup
qualification.
Ecuador
It’s been a tough ride for
Ecuador in recent Copa
Américas, having not escaped
the group stages since 1997.
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
36
The squad heading to the
USA is likely to be a fairly
inexperienced one with Gustavo
Quinteros opting to give places
on the plane to a large number
of both young and Ecuadorbased players; however, there
will be a few familiar names.
Manchester United’s Antonio
Valencia is likely to feature in
midfield, along with UNAM
Puma’s Fidel Martínez and
the trickiest winger in Wales
Jefferson Montero. Enner
Valencia is expected to start up
front for Ecuador having had
an indifferent season with West
Ham.
Peru
Last year’s Copa América
was a resounding success for
Peru, with Ricardo Gareca’s side
reaching the semi-finals, only
to be eliminated by eventual
champions Chile.
They went on to win the 3rd
place playoff match comfortably,
beating Paraguay by two goals to
nil. The tournament’s joint-top
scorer Paolo Guerrero is likely
to return to the fold, as well as
Jefferson Farfan, now of Al Jazira
Club in the UAE, Juan Manuel
Vargas and Sporting Lisbon’s
André Carrillo.
Their impressive performance
in the last tournament was
partly down to a stout back line
featuring Carlos Zambrano, Luis
Advíncula and Carlos Ascues.
Gareca himself said that the
best was yet to come after Copa
América Chile, perhaps they can
go even further this year.