With the Copa America kicking off Friday, Jurgen Klinsmann and the team spoke about the growing excitement, energy within the team and evolving roles.
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The last time these two sides met was during an worldwide friendly in 2014, with Colombia coming out on top. For organisers, the mere fact that the tournament is taking place at all is something of a triumph. While Messi remains questionable for his participation in Copa America, there is also the threat of them pulling the team out all together due to a political battle between Argentina’s federation and their government.
The United States men’s national soccer team comes into the tournament with a five-game winning streak. They also have the potential to fall flat on their faces.
Matias Vecino, who made his debut against Brazil in a World Cup qualifier in March, increased Uruguay’s lead seven minutes after halftime with his first worldwide goal.
For some success with Argentina would underline Messi’s status as the best to have ever played the sport.
Argentina are red hot favorites to win the Copa America, with reigning champions Chile and Brazil considered to be their main challengers.
They may not be household names in the Bay Area like Curry or Marleau, but the soccer stars converging on the Bay Area this week for La Copa America are some of the biggest names around the sporting world.
“You may be surprised to hear this, but Argentina has not raised a major senior trophy of any kind since 1993, and I think it’s important that we end the streak”.
Argentina open their campaign against Chile in Santa Clara next Monday. Now, to close out our series, our two authorities on the tournament will look at the last bracket, Group D.
Brazil’s Copa America injury crisis deepened on Wednesday after veteran striker Kaka withdrew from the squad with a hamstring injury three days before the team’s tournament opener against Ecuador.
Barcelona superstar and Albiceleste captain Lionel Messi suffered a back injury during his national team’s friendly against Honduras on Friday.
Messi and his father, Jorge Horacio Messi, are accused of using a chain of fake companies in Belize and Uruguay to avoid paying taxes on 4.16 million euros ($4.7 million) of Messi’s income earned through the sale of his image rights from 2007-09.
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The 100th year of the historic South American tournament is making its way to the United States and the competition will see more teams participate this time around.
