Copa America quarterfinals continued with Argentina and Chile punching their semifinals tickets. The last quarterfinal features all the Sounders, Raul Ruidiaz and Nicolas Lodeiro. Ruidiaz has yet to see a minute for Peru, while Lodeiro has been, arguably, the MVP for Uruguay. We can rest easy knowing that after this match, one of the Sounders will be back.

Last time Peru played, a close grind-it-out match against Brazil was expected. All of that happened, if you count 5-0 dominations as a grind-it-out as Peru fell victim to a dangerous Brazilian attack. Since then, we saw Brazil struggle to breakdown Paraguay and fall short time and time again of scoring before advancing via penalties over Paraguay. Peru has to play better than they did against Brazil, they can’t be that bad again, right? They looked lost while holding no possession and their playmakers unable to get involved. Maybe Peru played for a draw, knowing they’d advance, and it bit them, This time around, with a semifinal berth on the line, they have to step up.

Uruguay has yet to slow down in this Copa America. While Uruguay did draw Japan, who failed to be the final 3rd place team by drawing Ecuador, it was a 2-2 performance where they still largely controlled the match. Uruguay’s attack has yet to falter in this Copa America and when they faced their toughest test, Chile for the top of the group, they stepped up and held a shutout and found a goal via Edinson Cavani’s head. Outside of Japan’s two goals, Uruguay has held their opponents scoreless. They have a strong backline and a vicious attack. If Peru plays like they did against Brazil, Uruguay will score.

Gold Cup quarterfinals kickoff with Canada and Mexico both taking the field. Their group stage performances have to have them as the semi-final favorites and a lock to produce another very exciting match. In order to get through, they have to get through Haiti and Costa Rica respectively. Canada is likely to go through Haiti pretty easily, on paper, but this Haiti team just won their first Gold Cup group ever and will not be looking to go home early. Costa Rica, a heavy favorite for Group B, were upset by Haiti on the final matchday. Costa Rica and Mexico were a projected semifinal and now must meet in the quarters.

Canada looked fine against Mexico, but just fine. Not good, not great, fine. Against Martinique and Cuba, they showed they were the superior side but against Martinique, they took a half to find their feet. Haiti is mostly a second half team with four of their six goals coming in the second half, with their only two first half goals being against Nicaragua. Haiti and Canada have both been slow to start, who can find the game and control it first is likely to be able to control the remainder of the match.

Mexico you could say has not been tested yet. Their match against Canada felt in their favor for the majority of it and that the result was inevitable. Costa Rica looked slow against Haiti and may have just underestimated the Caribbean side or played for a draw. They know they have to bring their best against Mexico and that could light a fire. Costa Rica was expected to sleep walk into a group stage first place spot and, at times, they did look like they were sleepwalking. So can they wake up for Mexico?

What to Watch?

• Does Peru change their defensive shape and level of pressure? Against Brazil they were happy to sit back and played fairly flat. This lead to Brazil possessing until they found a little space and cutting through it. If Peru does the same thing to Uruguay, they’ll be fishing the ball out of the back of the net.
• How does Peru attack? Peru has been fairly comfortable allowing the attack to flow via the wings and on the counter, something they’ll be forced into against Uruguay. Even against lowly Bolivia, the attack looked cautious and was rather timid in front of goal. In the friendlies leading up to the match, the attack played significantly faster via their wings. Will they bring that back? If so, do they stick with the same attacking group that netted only a 1/g average in the group stages? Uruguay averaged over two goals a match, they’ll need firepower to keep up.
• Uruguay should just keep on keeping on. They’ve been pretty successful so far but if Peru does figure out their wing play and attacks fast, how does Uruguay respond? Uruguay gave up goals to Japan largely on this, so how do they handle Peru doing this? The likely answer is they’ll risk it, rely on their CBs, fullbacks, and CMs to get back and for their keeper to step up. Is that smart? Not necessarily. Will it work? If they start scoring, yes.
• Second half adjustments and slow starts. Canada and Haiti both start slow, whoever starts faster probably could take a lead to halftime. In the same vein, both have had some stellar second halves, so which coach wins the half time adjustment?
• Is Mexico ready for a bigger test? Canada and Costa Rica are similar teams when it comes to quality, so this isn’t a much different test but this is on a bigger stage. When Costa Rica throws everything they have at Mexico, will El Tri be ready?
• Not a to watch but a rooting interest, Costa Rica. If Costa Rica wins, then NYCFC is likely without Ronald Matarrita when they face the Sounders.

How to Watch?

Uruguay v. Peru

Round: Quarterfinals (Copa America)

Location: Fonte Nova Arena, Salvador, Brazil

Date and time: June 29, 2019, 12:00 p.m. PT

TV: Telemundo (Spanish)

Streaming: ESPN+ (affiliate link), Telemundo, FuboTV (affiliate link)

Haiti v. Canada

Round: Quarterfinals (Gold Cup)

Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Date and time: June 29, 2019, 4:00 p.m. PT

TV: FS1 (English), Univision (Spanish)

Streaming: Fox Sports Go, Univision, FuboTV (affiliate link)

Mexico v. Costa Rica

Round: Quarterfinals (Gold Cup)

Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Date and time: June 29, 2019, 6:30 p.m. PT

TV: FS1 (English), Univision (Spanish)

Streaming: Fox Sports Go, Univision, FuboTV (affiliate link)

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This is your Sounder at Heart Copa America and Gold Cup thread. Watch with us.