The United States women’s national team recently won the FIFA World Cup, which only adds to the popularity in the states, so now it is just up to the men to continue the growing trend by finding success in Copa America this month.
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Fans of Brazil during the 2016 Copa America Centenario Group B match between Brazil and Ecuador at the Rose Bowl June 4, 2016, Pasadena, California. The USA vs Colombia game didn’t start until 9:30 E.T., while both the Brazil vs Ecuador and Argentina vs Chile games have started at 10:00 E.T.
The viewership number also surpasses the USA’s first match of the tournament, when 1.536 million tuned in to the Americans’ 2-0 loss to world No. 3-ranked Colombia on June 3. Which team has impressed the most in Copa America Centenario so far? This Soccer Summer is an opportunity for networks heavily invested in the sport to keep the momentum going, along with a test of how many Americans will watch events that aren’t World Cups.
In the second Group B match, Peru took the three points and first place of the group. The other five matches only saw the stadiums at an average of 37.7% capacity.
With its first two Copa America games under its belt, Colombia became the first nation in this year’s tournament to advance beyond the group stage. Meanwhile, Panama has been consistently climbing within the Federation Internationale de Football Association rankings and flashed their abilities in a convincing win over Bolivia in their opening match. Officials believe such a tournament – which would do away with separate national-team championships for each confederation – would be better off taking place in the United States because of the superior facilities, including stadiums and hotels.
Gulati, speaking at a briefing with United States reporters, said the preparation had “been rushed, to some degree (but) with all of the big things, we’ve got it done”.
While ESPN and Fox executives will each contend why their tournament is bigger, they recognize the value of one event lifting interest in the other.
These days, though, the appeal of the US matches isn’t just patriotism but viewers ready to dissect every decision by coach Jurgen Klinsmann. “Millions of young Americans play soccer every year, and Los Angeles’ ready-made connection with youth culture makes it uniquely suited as a host for Copa America 2016, as well as an Olympic and Paralympic Games”.
If the two cups were combined, it would change everything.
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Montagliani, who defeated Bermudan Larry Mussenden for president of CONCACAF in an election staged in Mexico City on May 12, says the actual kick-off to the tournament – which was in doubt after indictments of top functionaries in a US-led corruption broad-side – speaks volumes of the will and character of “good people” working to the benefit of the confederation. Let us know by sharing your thoughts in the comments section below!
