Matches- Quarterfinals
USA v Ecuador (6/16 @9:30 PM ET)
Peru v Colombia (6/17 @8:00 PM ET)
Argentina v Venezuela (6/18 @ 7:00 PM ET)
Mexico v Chile (6/18 @ 10:00 PM ET)
Bracket
USA v Ecuador
The knockout round begins with the hosts taking on Group B runners-up Ecuador. The USA won the Group A with 6 points and Ecuador came second in Group B with 5 points. Besides a tough opening loss to Colombia, the USA have played extremely well. Ecuador played two draws before smashing Haiti in the 3rd match. Although DeAndre Yedlin is suspended, the USA has a very strong defense that will make it hard for Ecuador to score. Also, the USA's home field advantage increases, as more and more fans become engaged as the stakes get higher. I believe that the USA will win a tight defensive battle in front of these fans, and send Ecuador home.
Prediction: USA wins 1-0
Peru v Colombia
Although Peru won the group, they still have to face Colombia, because Colombia did not play their best players against Costa Rica in the last match, and lost the match, slipping to second in Group A. Despite being the lower seed, Colombia is the stronger team, and can easily defeat Peru. Peru has had a good run in the tournament, but if Colombia plays with the same XI that defeated the USA and Paraguay, they will be sent home. This may be the only match of the quarterfinals where the lower seed defeats the higher seed.
Prediction: Colombia wins 2-1
Argentina v Venezuela
Argentina is the best team in the tournament so far. They are the only team to win all 3 matches, and have a goal differential of +9. They show no signs of slowing down, and will likely roll through Venezuela and advance to the semis. As for Venezuela, they have had a good run. They weren't expected to fare well, but they came second in Group C. Unfortunately for them, they have to go up against Argentina, leaving them with a low chance of making the run they could have made if they were drawn against a different group winner, such as Peru.
Prediction: Argentina wins 2-0
Mexico v Chile
This is most likely to be the most contested of the knockout round matches. Mexico is performing very well and topped Group C with 7 points. But Chile finished second in Group D, losing only to Argentina by 1 goal, and winning the other two matches to get 6 points. Chile are the defending champions, and Mexico have the longest undefeated streak out of all international teams in the world (22 games). While Chile has the stars in Sanchez, Vidal, and Bravo, Mexico is a more cohesive team, and has more depth in the lineup. Therefore, I believe that as this game gets stretched out and players get more and more tired, Mexico will be better prepared for a long, tiring game, and will win the match based on their depth.
Prediction: Mexico wins 1-0
Also, take a look at my Euro Cup Blog here: uefa2016eurocup.blogspot.com
USA v Ecuador (6/16 @9:30 PM ET)
Peru v Colombia (6/17 @8:00 PM ET)
Argentina v Venezuela (6/18 @ 7:00 PM ET)
Mexico v Chile (6/18 @ 10:00 PM ET)
Bracket
USA v Ecuador
The knockout round begins with the hosts taking on Group B runners-up Ecuador. The USA won the Group A with 6 points and Ecuador came second in Group B with 5 points. Besides a tough opening loss to Colombia, the USA have played extremely well. Ecuador played two draws before smashing Haiti in the 3rd match. Although DeAndre Yedlin is suspended, the USA has a very strong defense that will make it hard for Ecuador to score. Also, the USA's home field advantage increases, as more and more fans become engaged as the stakes get higher. I believe that the USA will win a tight defensive battle in front of these fans, and send Ecuador home.
Prediction: USA wins 1-0
Peru v Colombia
Although Peru won the group, they still have to face Colombia, because Colombia did not play their best players against Costa Rica in the last match, and lost the match, slipping to second in Group A. Despite being the lower seed, Colombia is the stronger team, and can easily defeat Peru. Peru has had a good run in the tournament, but if Colombia plays with the same XI that defeated the USA and Paraguay, they will be sent home. This may be the only match of the quarterfinals where the lower seed defeats the higher seed.
Prediction: Colombia wins 2-1
Argentina v Venezuela
Argentina is the best team in the tournament so far. They are the only team to win all 3 matches, and have a goal differential of +9. They show no signs of slowing down, and will likely roll through Venezuela and advance to the semis. As for Venezuela, they have had a good run. They weren't expected to fare well, but they came second in Group C. Unfortunately for them, they have to go up against Argentina, leaving them with a low chance of making the run they could have made if they were drawn against a different group winner, such as Peru.
Prediction: Argentina wins 2-0
Mexico v Chile
This is most likely to be the most contested of the knockout round matches. Mexico is performing very well and topped Group C with 7 points. But Chile finished second in Group D, losing only to Argentina by 1 goal, and winning the other two matches to get 6 points. Chile are the defending champions, and Mexico have the longest undefeated streak out of all international teams in the world (22 games). While Chile has the stars in Sanchez, Vidal, and Bravo, Mexico is a more cohesive team, and has more depth in the lineup. Therefore, I believe that as this game gets stretched out and players get more and more tired, Mexico will be better prepared for a long, tiring game, and will win the match based on their depth.
Prediction: Mexico wins 1-0
Also, take a look at my Euro Cup Blog here: uefa2016eurocup.blogspot.com
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