:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/64075595/1156836414.jpg.0.jpg)
Copa America starts wrapping up their group stages today with Group A playing simultaneous matches. Brazil and Peru meet in what is likely the best matchup of the group stages so far. They will both look to win the group, with Brazil likely needing only a draw to do so (Venezuela has to win by four to win the group if this match ends on equal terms). Brazil, after grabbing three goals in the first match, were held scoreless by a strong Venezuelan defense. Peru has the better defense between Venezuela and Peru, which means Brazil will have a tough time scoring. Peru grabbed multiple goals against Bolivia but looked less dominant than Brazil had. Raúl Ruidíaz had been the most threatening attacker during the friendlies but has yet to see the field in the Copa America, and with a potential squad rotation day, Ruidíaz hopefully sees some time and grabs a goal to drown Brazil.
Chile beat Ecuador thanks to Alexis Sanchez’s early second half goal. Sanchez looked good for most of the match, showing the national team version of himself, not the club team player we’ve seen the last few years. The win guaranteed Chile will advance through the group stage, though where they finish is unknown.
Guyana is not a great team, as they showed against the USMNT. That said, they showed they can have a dangerous attack and can get in behind if a defense gets stretched. Panama started spreading out more and playing end-to-end against Trinidad & Tobago, something they’ll likely do again against Guyana. I wouldn’t expect Guyana to be shut out again, after they almost scored against the USA, but they aren’t likely to get a result in this one.
The USA goes to Cleveland. A sentence that soccer fans effectively never say. They are going there to finally get their win over Trinidad & Tobago, after the embarrassing ending that was the 2018 Hex. Christian Pulisic needs to take over this match, pick up his confidence, and carry the USMNT into the knockout rounds. If the USMNT wins, they’ll advance.
The Gold Cup provided multiple shock results yesterday with Honduras and Jamaica unable to find the net. If you thought yesterday’s Gold Cup matches were boring, I understand. The two matches combined for one goal with the lowest ranked team in Concacaf grabbing the lone goal. Curacao found they net in the 40th via Cardiff City man, Leandro Bacuna. The win over Honduras eliminated Alberth Elis’ side after just two matches. Jamaica and El Salvador drew in a fairly even match but after a strong performance in their first match, drawing El Salvador is a bit of a disappointment.
What to Watch?
- Will Brazil and Peru play for a draw? Both sides could do well with some rest for their top players, but both sides will want the advantage of winning the group. It also benefits both to draw, so expect them to not go crazy pushing forward.
- Peru is likely to play conservative against Brazil, and if Brazil does it in kind, it could turn one of the most exciting match-ups of the Copa America so far into a fairly mundane one.
- Venezuela has been threatening in front of goal through the first two matches but hasn’t found the net yet. Darwin Machís got the start against Brazil and quickly became the most threatening player for Venezuela, cutting in from the left and getting off multiple shots from distance. Against Bolivia’s weaker defense, Machís and Salomon Rondon should have no problem getting shots on target.
- Guyana looked okay against the USMNT in the first half but quickly showed they didn’t have much of a fight. Panama isn’t as good as the USMNT, but they are definitely a willing participant that should put up a few goals on Guyana. Panama also has the height advantage to get a goal or two via set pieces.
- Revenge. The USMNT fell to Trinidad & Tobago in Trinidad to miss the World Cup. If that doesn’t make the players’ blood boil, then nothing will. Look for them to make an example out of the game. The attack looked a bit lost for part of the match against Guyana, no matter what the scoreline says, and Christian Pulisic needs to find his way into the match. Expect Pulisic to get on the ball more and pull the strings.
Copa America Standings
Group A
| Points | Wins | Draws | Losses | GD | GF | GA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | Wins | Draws | Losses | GD | GF | GA | |
| Brazil | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Peru | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Venezuela | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bolivia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -5 | 1 | 6 |
*Gold Cup Standings will be included after matchday two finishes.
Copa America Scenarios to Advance
Top two finishers automatically advance and top two of the three third places teams advance. To Finish Top Two:
- Brazil: Advances with a win or draw. Advances with loss if Venezuela lose or draw.
- Peru: Advances with a win. Advances with a draw if Venezuela lose, draw, or if Venezuela win by one goal (any score) or 2-0.
- Venezuela: Advances with a win, if Brazil v. Peru doesn’t end in a draw. If Brazil and Peru end in a draw, must score at least three goals while winning by at least two.
- Bolivia: Can’t finish top two.
- Finishing with five points will advance any team as a 3rd place team. Finishing with four points creates a bunch of scenarios.
How to Watch?
Bolivia v. Venezuela
Group: A (Copa America)
Location: Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto (Mineirão), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Date and time: June 22, 2019, 12:00 p.m. PT
TV: Telemundo (Spanish)
Streaming: ESPN+ (affiliate link), Telemundo, FuboTV (affiliate link)
Peru v. Brazil
Group: A (Copa America)
Location: Arena Corinthians, São Paulo, Brazil
Date and time: June 22, 2019, 12:00 p.m. PT
TV: Telemundo (Spanish)
Streaming: ESPN+ (affiliate link), Telemundo, FuboTV (affiliate link)
Guyana v. Panama
Group: D (Gold Cup)
Location: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, OH
Date and time: June 22, 2019, 2:30 p.m. PT
TV: FS2 (English), Univision (Spanish)
Streaming: Fox Sports Go, Univision, FuboTV(affiliate link)
USA v. Trinidad & Tobago
Group: D (Gold Cup)
Location: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, OH
Date and time: June 22, 2019, 4:30 p.m. PT
TV: FS1 (English), Univision (Spanish)
Streaming: Fox Sports Go, Univision, FuboTV (affiliate link)
Sounder at Heart has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Sounder at Heart may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.
This is your Sounder at Heart Copa America and Gold Cup thread. Watch with us.