Results
USA def. Ecuador 2-1
Colombia def. Peru 0-0 (4-2 Pens)
Argentina def. Venezuela 4-1
Chile def. Mexico 7-0
USA v Ecuador
The 'Mericans continue their strong play in this tournament with a quarterfinals win over Ecuador. Ecuador had been undefeated up until this point, but the USA got an early lead and never let go until the final whistle. Despite losing most of the stat categories, the USA looked like the better, more confident team throughout the match. Even when Ecuador scored to bring the US's leading margin to 1, the USA continued to play solid defense, refusing to let another goal go through. There are, however, some major concerns for the Americans. 3 starters will not be able to play in the semis due to suspension form cards in this match: Bobby Wood, Alejandro Bedoya, and Jermaine Jones. Bedoya and Jones comprise 2/3 of the starting midfield, and their suspensions will be a major blow. Being without Wood will be costly too, as his playmaking ability on the wing is crucial to the United States' attack. As for Ecuador, they are going home after the loss, finishing in a 4-way tie for 5th-8th place. This is probably the type of finish they expected, but they will be unhappy to have lost here, especially because they came so close to completing the comeback.
Colombia v Peru
This match was supposed to be all Colombia, but Colombia was clearly hurt by the loss to Costa Rica. They are a ghost of the team they were in the first two matches, when they dismantled the USA and Paraguay. They are lucky for the missed handball in the match between Peru and Brazil, because if that had been properly called, and they were facing Brazil, they definitely would have lost with the way they played today. They will be happy to advance, but they will most likely be knocked out next round by the red-hot Chileans.
Argentina v Venezuela
In this match, Argentina looked like Argentina once again. They have been absolutely brilliant so far, winning their first 4 matches by a combined score of 14-2! So many players were excellent, including Sergio Romero, who is making a strong case for himself for the Golden Glove award. Even though Venezuela did not have much possession at all (37%), they had plenty of chances, with 11 shots, 7 corners, and 1 penalty kick. Romero however played superbly, and only let one goal in over the course of all these chances. With him in net, Argentina's defense is solid, and coupled with their world-class attack, it makes them the team to beat. As for Venezuela, they had a good run, including an upset over Uruguay to bring them to the knockout round, but it had to end here, at the hands of Messi and the Argentines.
Mexico v Chile
This match was supposed to be the closest of the 4 quarterfinals. But Mexico wasn't quite there to play. They were routed, and thus their 22-game undefeated streak ends. Mexico goes home after throwing a solid start to waste and finishing in a tie for 5th-8th, underplaying their expectations. As for Chile, they finally look like the team that won the Copa last year again. The attacking 3, Sanchez, Vargas, and Puch, scored all 7 of the goals, and look like they could give any defense in the world a hard time. Chile will be without Arturo Vidal for the semis against Colombia, but given the way they are playing, that shouldn't be too much of an issue.
New Matches- SemiFinals
USA v Argentina (Tuesday, June 21 @ 9 PM ET)
Colombia v Chile (Wednesday, June 22@8 PM ET)
Bracket
image from wikipedia.org
USA def. Ecuador 2-1
Colombia def. Peru 0-0 (4-2 Pens)
Argentina def. Venezuela 4-1
Chile def. Mexico 7-0
USA v Ecuador
The 'Mericans continue their strong play in this tournament with a quarterfinals win over Ecuador. Ecuador had been undefeated up until this point, but the USA got an early lead and never let go until the final whistle. Despite losing most of the stat categories, the USA looked like the better, more confident team throughout the match. Even when Ecuador scored to bring the US's leading margin to 1, the USA continued to play solid defense, refusing to let another goal go through. There are, however, some major concerns for the Americans. 3 starters will not be able to play in the semis due to suspension form cards in this match: Bobby Wood, Alejandro Bedoya, and Jermaine Jones. Bedoya and Jones comprise 2/3 of the starting midfield, and their suspensions will be a major blow. Being without Wood will be costly too, as his playmaking ability on the wing is crucial to the United States' attack. As for Ecuador, they are going home after the loss, finishing in a 4-way tie for 5th-8th place. This is probably the type of finish they expected, but they will be unhappy to have lost here, especially because they came so close to completing the comeback.
Colombia v Peru
This match was supposed to be all Colombia, but Colombia was clearly hurt by the loss to Costa Rica. They are a ghost of the team they were in the first two matches, when they dismantled the USA and Paraguay. They are lucky for the missed handball in the match between Peru and Brazil, because if that had been properly called, and they were facing Brazil, they definitely would have lost with the way they played today. They will be happy to advance, but they will most likely be knocked out next round by the red-hot Chileans.
Argentina v Venezuela
In this match, Argentina looked like Argentina once again. They have been absolutely brilliant so far, winning their first 4 matches by a combined score of 14-2! So many players were excellent, including Sergio Romero, who is making a strong case for himself for the Golden Glove award. Even though Venezuela did not have much possession at all (37%), they had plenty of chances, with 11 shots, 7 corners, and 1 penalty kick. Romero however played superbly, and only let one goal in over the course of all these chances. With him in net, Argentina's defense is solid, and coupled with their world-class attack, it makes them the team to beat. As for Venezuela, they had a good run, including an upset over Uruguay to bring them to the knockout round, but it had to end here, at the hands of Messi and the Argentines.
Mexico v Chile
This match was supposed to be the closest of the 4 quarterfinals. But Mexico wasn't quite there to play. They were routed, and thus their 22-game undefeated streak ends. Mexico goes home after throwing a solid start to waste and finishing in a tie for 5th-8th, underplaying their expectations. As for Chile, they finally look like the team that won the Copa last year again. The attacking 3, Sanchez, Vargas, and Puch, scored all 7 of the goals, and look like they could give any defense in the world a hard time. Chile will be without Arturo Vidal for the semis against Colombia, but given the way they are playing, that shouldn't be too much of an issue.
New Matches- SemiFinals
USA v Argentina (Tuesday, June 21 @ 9 PM ET)
Colombia v Chile (Wednesday, June 22
Bracket
image from wikipedia.org
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