Day 1 didn’t go as scripted for the U.S. Men’s National Team, however, the second day at this summer’s Copa America Centenario provides three matches on the docket.
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Costa Rica and Paraguay will each open their Group A accounts, with the winner joining Colombia as the heavy favorite to advance to final eight. Meanwhile, Group B play opens up with Haiti and Peru facing off and a depleted Brazil squad meeting Ecuador.
Here’s a quick primer on what you can expect from today’s games, plus a few links to essential reading before these games and recapping what happened yesterday at Copa America. You can follow the action live by clicking on the link above.
Essential reading: Rule changes for Copa America announced just hours before tournament kicks off.
ICYMI: Three things we learned from the USA’s 2-0 defeat to Colombia, plus player ratings and reaction from the U.S. players in Santa Clara.
Game 2: Costa Rica vs. Paraguay
When: Saturday, 5 p.m. ET
Where: Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL
Live updates: NBCSports.com
After yesterday’s 2-0 win for Colombia over the USMNT, both Costa Rica and Paraguay have an excellent opportunity to not only pick up points but establish themselves as opportunists in advancing out of Group A. Los Ticos boast a very talented attack, led by Arsenal’s Jol Campbell and captain Bryan Ruiz, and will likely be seen as favorites, but Paraguay’s high-press style will attempt to disrupt that.
Game 3: Haiti vs. Peru
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA
Live updates: NBCSports.com
While Brazil and Ecuador will receive most of the attention in Group B, this matchup holds a lot of weight in who advances out of the group stage. With Brazil struggling to keep their players healthy, both Haiti and Peru have the chance to capitalize on the Selecao‘s misfortunes. Paolo Guerrero is the danger man for Peru, while Haiti features striker Kervens Belfort.
Game 4: Brazil vs. Ecuador
When: Saturday, 1o p.m. ET
Where: Rose Bowl, Los Angeles, CA
Live updates: NBCSports.com
On paper this one of the better group stage matches you could imagine. Whether it turns out that way is yet to be determined, particularly due to a plethora of Brazilian absences and injuries. Already without Neymar and key defenders Thiago Silva and David Luiz heading into Copa America, the Selecao have lost Douglas Costa, Kaka and Luis Gustavo all prior to the tournament’s kick off. For Ecuador, the team boasts a lot of pace, as shown in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, where the squad currently sits second. The Ecuadorians can certainly benefit from not facing Brazil’s strongest lineup.
