IT’S SOCCER TIME! In just a few short days, the single biggest soccer tournament in the Americas until the 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off. The Copa America, traditionally the South American championship, is being transported to the United States for a special, 16-team edition. The Ridley Review has you covered with a thorough Copa America preview, complete with power rankings and some spicy takes for how the tournament will play out.
Who We Got?
All 10 CONMEBOL (South American) nations are repped, as well as the best 6 CONCACAF (North/Central America and Caribbean) squads from last year’s Nations League. All in all, it is a pretty deep and solid field, with a couple standout favorites along with a decent amount of dark horses just licking their chops at the thought of playing spoiler. The teams and their respective, current FIFA rankings (to be updated on the eve of the tournament, June 19th):
CONMEBOL
CONCACAF
The Format
Copa keeps a pretty simple format: single round-robin with 4 groups of 4 teams each, followed by a single-elimination knockout tournament between the winners and runners-up of each group. To keep the draw from getting too out of hand, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and the USA were split into separate groups off the bat. The rest of the squads were also split into respective “pots” based on ranking, to even out the groups’ strength as much as possible. The chips fell as follows:
| A | B | C | D |
| Argentina | Mexico | USA | Brazil |
| Peru | Ecuador | Uruguay | Columbia |
| Chile | Venezuela | Panama | Paraguay |
| Canada | Jamaica | Bolivia | Costa Rica |
Well, How Can I Watch?!
If you feel like paying a pretty penny, you can always go in person! This edition is kicking it around the United States, with final to be played under the scorching Summer heat in Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. Tickets are available through a host of sites, including the organizers themselves.
As far as chilling on your sofa with a cold beverage and a snack, there are options on the telly! In the United States, FOX Sports regrettably has the call, with TUDN providing coverage en Español. Every country in the tournament, in addition, has their TV coverage, a list of which is available here.
FOX’s coverage has received considerable negative press, especially at the World Cup in Qatar, and I tend to agree with a lot of it. The analysis tends to be surface-level and borderline dumbed-down for the audience, the level of commentary and studio guests tends to be a rung or two below ESPN historically and CBS currently, and the overuse of Alexi Lalas without a foil (maybe a hot take: he is quite enjoyable when paired with someone who cuts through the BS like Michael Ballack.) is no recipe for an enjoyable viewing experience.
For the Copa, they have the usual suspects: most likely Rob Stone leading the studio crew assisted by Alexi Lalas and another analyst or two. The game commentators are also standard fare for FOX: John Strong and Stu Holden the lead team (loved Stu as a player, but I’ve never gotten much insight from him as color commentator, and Strong is meh for me), JP Dellacamera and Cobi Jones the #2 team (JP I enjoy and he seems like a great dude; he’s also been doing this longer than anyone), and Luis Omar Tapia and Mo Edu the #3 team. Pour one out for Jorge Perez Navarro, who somehow has not been given another role since his iconic FOX debut during the 2018 World Cup (commentating in his second language, no less). I have never enjoyed commentary more before or since; every game of his was appointment viewing:
If I have to give FOX credit on something, their World Cup theme song they will most likely recycle here gets the juices pumping:
Though deeper in the FOX vault sit two bangers I wouldn’t mind resurfacing: the old Gold Cup theme (opening minute of this vid) and the older (but never forgotten) Goals on Sunday song (rough quality) from the FOX Soccer Channel days. Ah nostalgia!
Power Rankings
Let’s rank the field, shall we?
The Look Ma, We Made It Tier
#16 – Bolivia
They boast the greatest home field advantage on the planet: playing games nearly 12,000 feet above sea level in La Paz. Unfortunately, no game at this tournament will be played on Mount Whitney, and without that advantage, things look blue for La Verde.
This is an aging squad without difference makers following the retirement of the talismanic Marcelo Martins Moreno last year. Most of the squad hails from the domestic league, which is strong on epic team names (The Strongest, Always Ready) but short on quality. Brazilian Coach Zago was brought in last year to bring this group through World Cup qualifying, which has so far yielded 1 home win against 5 losses. A porous defense has conceded the most goals of any South American nation throughout the start of qualifying.
The weakest team in the field.
Jerseys: Home/Away
#15 – Costa Rica
Ah, Los Ticos. Just hearing that name brings up memories of their wild run to the World Cup quarterfinals in 2014, behind a rock solid defense headed by the talismanic keeper, Keylor Navas. Navas has decided to retire from national team this year, leaving a massive gaping hole in the defense. Despite advancing age, the stalwart keeper is still capable of the spectacular.
With Navas and most of the 2014 team in the retirement home aging out fast, the task now falls to a new generation to try to emulate their success. Joel Campbell (still somehow only 31) still heads the attack, but a youth movement is on in the midfield, with high hopes held for Westerlo’s Josimar Alcocer (19 years old). He takes over the mantle of promising youngester from Sunderland’s Jewison Bennette, who missed the squad entirely. The rest of the workmanlike squad consists of players scattered throughout the domestic league and Major League Soccer in the US.
The one thing Coach Gustavo Alfaro could always count on was world-class goalkeeping; there is significant pressure on the untested trio of Kevin Chamorro, Aaron Cruz, and Patrick Sequeira to prevent a significant drop-off. I fear the task may be a bit too tall.
Jerseys: Home/Away
#14 – Peru
The team that always rocks the uber-chic sash jerseys are mired in a world of hurt. A dreadful start to World Cup Qualifying (0 wins and only 2 points from 6 games) has seen a change at the top. Coach Jorge Fasatti has been brought in to turn the ship around and won his first two friendly games against weak opposition. It’s a far cry from the side that made the 2018 World Cup and came within a Grey Wiggle of reaching 2022 as well.
This is an aging squad desperate for new game changers to emerge; captain/legend Paolo Guerrero (40) is still trotting out for the side, as well as stalwart defender Carlos Zambrano (34). Help appears slow in coming; only 8 of the 28 players called up for pre-tournament matches are under 25, of note 22-year-old Piero Quispe, a midfielder who has been on the radar of Premier League teams.1 Andy Polo (29) , rightfully run out of MLS for domestic violence2, notably remains in the squad.
As rough as their future outlook is, advancing isn’t impossible: neither Canada no Chile are super intimidating opposition for 2nd place.
Jerseys: Home/Away
Dreams of the Quarterfinals Tier
#13 – Paraguay
The next couple of teams (#13-#8) are all very hard to rank. All have some star power and also holes in their team; all could catch fire and go on a dream run or crash out early with a whimper.
Leading us off is Paraguay, who have a very cool logo and stripe-happy jerseys. On the field, the oft-memed Miguel Almiron is the star man, chipping in goals and assists from the midfield or wing depending on formation. Captain and former AC Milan player Gustavo Gomez is called on to be the rock in defense ahead of a group of goalkeepers with only 9 caps (appearances) between them.
Up top, it is open season to find a goalscorer; the veteran Derlis Gonzalez (30) is called up alongside an untested bunch of young guns headed by Brighton’s Julio Enciso (20).
The vast majority of this squad is in their prime years; can Coach Daniel Garnero coax something special out of them? If World Cup Qualifying is anything to go by (5 points from 6 games), most likely not.
Jerseys: Home/Away
#12 – Panama
It is worth noting the incredible job Coach Thomas Christiansen has done with Los Canaleros ; since taking over in 2020, he has consistently had a squad short on stars but long on heart punch well above their weight, competing consistently at the top of CONCACAF for regional titles. Although he came up just short of leading Panama to a second World Cup on the spin, The Powers That Be wisely stuck with his project and have continued to grow.
Although some vets have aged out, there is plenty of experience in the squad in the form of goalie Luis Meija, defender Michael Murrilo, midfielders Anabal Godoy and Yoel Barcenas, and Jose Fajardo up top. Add to that some trickery on the opposite wing of Barcenas in the form of Houston Dynamo star Adalberto Carrasquilla, and you have a team with no major weaknesses but also no overwhelming strength.
They won’t go quietly, but it would be a shock to see them top either Uruguay or the USA in their group.
Jerseys: Home/Away
#11 – Jamaica
If it weren’t for their insane injury list, I would have them as my dark horse pick. I love Coach/Dentist Heimar Hallgrimsson, who has galvanized a mix of home grown journeymen and mercenary stars into what is starting to resemble a real force. His team’s always are always well-drilled and defensively-sound. Despite a laughably inept federation and a decimated squad, they gave the United States all they could handle in the Nations League. Hallgrimsson has talked a big game and started to deliver, just as he did with Iceland.
I think they will waltz to the 2026 World Cup top of qualifying in CONCACAF (with the 3 hosts already in the tournament), but this tournament comes a terrible time for the Reggae Boyz. Of their game-changers, pretty much only Fulham’s Bobby DeCordova-Reid, West Ham legend Michail Antonio, and Clermont’s Shamar Nicholson showed up to World Cup Qualifying at the start of the month. and are healthy. Notice the issue? They are all attackers! Michael Hector and Dexter Lembikisa are holding together a defense that has Swiss Cheese potential, with star goalie Andre Blake, defenders Amar’i Bell and Michael Hector, MID/DF Joel Latibeaudiere, and winger Demarai Gray all just returning from injury layoffs. Toss in Leon Bailey, Jamaica’s most talented star, fighting with the federation bosses and temporarily (?) quitting the team, and you have a recipe for disaster. They are in a group with no weak team, and I think they will finish bottom.
Better days are just around the corner, though, and watch out for young forward Dujuan Richards (18) to make his mark sooner rather than later. Ironically, though, he is also out injured at the moment!
That said, their kits are easily the sexiest in the field.
Jerseys: Home/Away
#10 – Mexico
My jaw had to be picked up off the floor when their squad dropped. Having gone through coaches like Dumbledore went through Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers while clinging to a very select group of players, Mexico finally, and unexpectedly, ripped the band-aid off. And they did it with some panache! Gone, shockingly, are Memo Ochoa, Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, Jesus Gallardo, Hector Herrara, and Raul Jimenez – over 500 caps of experience.
Mexico’s best player, West Ham’s Edson Alvarez, survives the cull and will be tasked with bringing in the next gen of Mexico futbol. I have to applaud the juevos to pull off a generation shift 3 weeks before a major tournament: only one player, goalie Julio Gonzalez (33), is over the age of 30.
With such a dramatic overhaul of the roster, it is hard to know who to watch. Striker Santi Gimenez (Feyenoord) has long been highly thought of and will get chances to lead the line. Totally a punt, but I back Erick Sanchez (Pachuca) and Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens) to be difference makers while Cesar Montes (Almeria) provides an experienced leader on the backline. Beyond that, the two friendlies ahead of the tournament revealed a squad with grit but in transition, largely a domestic-based team Coach Jaime Lozano called in.
Will fresh blood power Mexico to the quarterfinals? I’m making a bold pick by saying no – I don’t think this trial-by-fire approach pays off despite a manageable, if deep, group.
Jerseys: Home/Away
The “So You’re Saying There’s a Chance” tier
#9 – Canada
A bold pick? Maybe. Canada has struggled mightily since former Head Coach John “We’re Going to F Croatia” Herdman walked out on them, with their federation broke and in disarray. In comes American Jesse Marsch, his salary jointly paid by a bunch of MLS teams no less, to right the ship, and there will be fireworks. Hold on to your hats, folks, because this team has the potential to score buckets of goals and power their way to the semis or crash and burn like they did in the last World Cup.
What makes Canada so intoxicating to watch is the triple header monster they unleash in attack: Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, and Tajon Buchanon are genuine game changers at highest level. Match that with a weak defense and mediocre goalkeeper’s room and you have one fascinating roster. Toss in Marsch’s Red Bull-style high aggression, fierce pressing game without the ball and you have a cocktail for plenty of insane, balls-to-the-wall, 5-4 type games. Will Canada be the one on top when the dust settles in each game? TBD. I don’t think they make it out of the group, but they can gives the creaky legs of Chile a good run.
Jerseys: Home/Away
#8 – Venezuela
A country long-known for it’s beisbol is beginning to come around on futbol. The only South American country that has never made the World Cup, they have flown out of the gates this time around, losing only 1 of the first 6 games and drawing Brazil on the road to sit 4th at the moment, well within the qualification zone. Then, earlier this year, they played Italy close in a 2-1 friendly loss. Coach Fernando Batista built on the solid foundations of former Coach Jose Pekerman, and has fashioned a young, hungry squad balanced by a sprinkling of older vets.
The long-serving duo of Tomas Rincon (36) and Solomon Rondon (34) still play key roles in the side, but now have solid support in the middle of the park: Girona’s Angel Herrera, Christian Casseres (Toulouse), Jose Martinez (Philadelphia Union), and Jefferson Savarino (Botafogo) all playing key roles recently.
I am mostly concerned about their reliance on an aging Rondon to bang in goals. Despite being a force of nature, he has a lot of miles in the legs and his two understudies, Eric Ramirez and Jhonder Cadiz, have 1 goal between them for Venezuela. In a group with Mexico, Ecuador, and Jamaica where any of the teams has a solid case to advance, I think they just pull it off over Mexico.
Jerseys: Home/Away
#7 – Chile
Chile, like Costa Rica, is trying to break from a fading Golden Generation and usher in something new. Something bold. But just like that dude who peaked in high school, they can’t resist returning to the glory days one more time. That means a final dance for goalie Claudio Bravo (41) and forwards Alexis Sanchez (35) and Eduardo Vargas (34).
Credit where due though, Ricardo Gareca (who coached Peru to 2018 World Cup) is working to churn over the roster, and is seeing the fruits of that in the form of relative youngsters Ben Brereton Diaz (25) and Marcelino Nunez (24) becoming more integral in the lineup. The talent is there; if the youth and experience can blend together on the fly, they have an outsiders chance. I’m feeling a quarterfinal exit from them after advancing from an easier group.
Jerseys: Home/Away
#6 – Ecuador
The Tampa Bay Rays of South America footie, this is the country that always lurks in contention without being favorites. Well-traveled Spanish coach Felix Sanchez (last seen with Qatar’s squad of mercenaries at the 2022 World Cup) has taken the reigns of the South American outfit, and has a nice blend of blossoming players to work with.
This is a team that has only lost twice in the past 18 months, to Argentina and Italy. No wonder, either: this is a well-rounded squad with no real weaknesses. The ageless wonder Enner Valencia continues to lead the line; he continues to average a goal every other game for the national team well into his 30’s. His main support comes from Moises Caicedo and Jeremy Sarmiento in midfield, and Bayer Leverkusen stud Piero Hincapie the standout defender.
I don’t have a ton to say about this team; they are unfussy, unsexy, but solid. I have them topping their group, and if a powerhouse is off their game, they are highly capable of springing an upset.
Jerseys: Home/Away
#5 – United States of America
And so we’ve reached the USMNT. Led by the eternally controversial Gregg Berhalter and his right-hand man/legend BJ Callaghan, the States field a talented, young squad just entering their collective prime. Despite more talent and depth generations prior, they have too often failed to impress under Berhalter, lacking a defining win under his tenure outside of the Iran triumph last World Cup. Question marks exist throughout the entire team at the moment, among them:
-Who starts in goal? The uber-likeable Matt Turner has been hurting for form and confidence with Nottingham Forest, which has been seeping ever more into his national team play. Long-standing backup Ethan Horvath doesn’t wow (apart from his legendary performance against Mexico), but has played more at club level recently.
-How many defenders to play with? Anytime Berhalter has tried to broaden his tactics and try 3-at-the-back, it’s been a disaster. Yet with starting right back Sergino Dest out for the tournament, plenty of options for defensive-minded backs or wingbacks, and with 5 center backs on the roster, may we see the Coach go back to that particular well?
-Who plays striker? The striker position has never scored much under Gregg, who prefers to create from the wing or pump crosses into the box. Folarin Balogun has not been a good System fit despite his obvious talent. Ricardo Pepi has sat mostly on a bench with PSV Eindhoven. The Ginga Ninja, Josh Sargent, has linked play well before in Berhalter’s System but is nursing a long-term injury.
-The Gio conundrum. The USMNT simply operates better with the mercurial Gio Reyna on the field. But working him in has created balance issues in midfield, exacerbated with the ongoing injury problems of Tyler Adams, who remains crucial for fighting fires at the base of midfield. At this point, the only sure thing seems to be Weston McKennie, who may need to take greater responsibility over controlling the middle of the park.
The team’s form and performances have been poor over the past couple of windows, but if it all comes together on home soil, they have the ability to go deep. Time to finally snag that signature win?
Jerseys: Home/Away
#4 – Columbia
Nestor Lorenzo has gone down in Columbian lore as a coaching hire for the ages. Given the task of picking up the pieces following failure to make the 2022 World Cup, Lorenzo has overseen exactly 0 losses during his 2 year reign. ZERO!!! A 15-5-0 coaching record is impressive enough, but even moreso when you look at who they’ve beaten: Germany, Brazil, Japan, and Spain have all been dispatched by Los Cafeteros in that span.
The squad itself has plenty of starpower throughout, with the “weak” spot looking to be in goal. David Ospina remains the preferred choice at age 35, a bit past his prime but still very capable. A solid defense anchored by Davinson Sanchez also features the experienced Santiago Arias, set piece dangerman Yerry Mina, and Johan Mohica to go with new blood such as Villareal’s Yerson Mosquera.
Several options at holding mid, such as Premier League vet Jefferson Lerma and ex-Porto player Manuel Uribe exist to balance the team and let James Rodriguez cook. Now captain of the squad, the standout from the 2014 World Cup is one of those players that always elevates his game with the national team. Luis Diaz (Liverpool) will be the main man up top, one of the best wide players in the world, working off one of several options at striker.
This is a hungry, confident team to be taken lightly at your peril. They won’t fear having Brazil in their group; that clash will be the most eagerly anticipated matchup of the group stage. A run to the semis is almost probable, depending on the shape of the bracket.
Jerseys: Home/Away
#3 – Uruguay
Bielsa-Ball, on paper, has no business working in international footy. The squads constantly evolve, time is short, and tactics are, for most coaches, quite simple. Not so with Marcelo Bielsa, who brings his borderline-insane pressing and full-tilt-boogie attack to Uruguay. Somehow, it just works: while it didn’t work for Argentina in 2022, he got total buy-in from Chile back between 2007-2011, and he has gotten it now from Uruguay.
This team oozes talent to go with their world-class coach, goalkeeper the exception. With long-standing starter Fernando Muslera having ridden off into the sunset, this tournament appears to belong to Internacional’s (the Brazilian club) Sergio Rochet, who has bounced around a couple mediocre European clubs before finding his way back to the home continent. Untested at the highest level, he will be the key factor to the whole machine: Bielsa sides can be leaky in defense.
The rest of the squad has no such worries: a stout backline features Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo, Napoli’s Mathias Olivera, and captain Jose Giminez (Atletico Madrid). The adaptable Federico Valverde is the class of the midfield, with Manuel Ugarte set to hold the defensive midfield spot down for years to come. Darwin Nunez, king of both the shocking and the spectacular, leads the line with his endearing and occasionally infuriating brand of high-octane football. A trip to the Quarterfinals is almost a sure bet with only minnows Bolivia and Panama, as well as an iffy United States team standing in their way. The semi’s look likely.
Jerseys: Home/Away
Futbol Royalty
#2 – Brazil
2nd because of their history and talent, not because of their form: this is a tough Brazilian team to gauge. As much talent as they pump out, results in big tournaments have been spotty since their 5th World Cup triumph in 2002. Although the Selecao won Copa America 2019, they crashed out in the group stage during the 2016 edition in the United States. A disastrous run to start current World Cup qualifying led to the dismissal of 2 interim coaches, with Dorival Junior brought in to right the ship. Well-traveled as both a player and a coach, he has seen overseen 3 decent results to start his tenure while still stamping his authority on the squad.
The starting XI Coach Dorival Junior puts out just needs to gel together on the field. They are far too talented individually not to succeed if a system is set up that accentuates their strengths and chemistry. So stacked with talent they are, they have a replacement world-class goalie (Allison Becker) stepping in as an injury replacement for another (Ederson). Their “weakest” position, the midfield, features 5 Premier League stars from middle/upper tier clubs and a standout from one of the best success stories in Italy’s Serie A, Atalanta. They can afford to leave the 118 collective goals from Richarlison, Neymar (injured), and Gabriel Jesus off the team ENTIRELY! Real Madrid stud Vinicius Jr. is the main man to watch on the forward line, with a host of hungry youngsters, including 17-year-old phenom Endrick, adding to the Jogo Bonito on display.
As a possible matchup with USMNT beckons in the Quarterfinals, I must root against them temporarily. But I fully expect this version of Brazil to shake off its recent malaise and challenge for the continental crown once again.
Jerseys: Home/Away
#1 – Argentina
Could it be anyone else?!? The reigning World Cup AND Copa America champs roll into the States atop South American World Cup qualifying and still featuring arguably the greatest player to ever lace up a pair of boots.
Credit has to be given to Coach Lionel Scaloni, who was finally able to craft a team with tactics beyond just “Pass the ball to Messi and hope he can cook”. Taking some of the pressure off Lionel Messi (now 36 at Inter Miami) allowed both him and the team as a whole to thrive, culminating in victory in one of the most epic World Cup finals of all time. Often lost in the grandeur of Messi’s performance was the equally majestic gyrating save made by Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez in the final seconds of the match to send the game to penalty kicks. Dibu has gone from strength to strength since, playing a crucial role in Aston Villa’s recent success and adding a whole new level of security for Argentina’s defense. The backline features plenty of options: no standout star but no weaknesses either.
The midfield, too, abounds with options, but in this case the options are genuine gamechangers. Solid holding midfielders Leandro Paredes or Guido Rodrigues allow the more advanced Rodrigo de Paul, Exequiel Palacios, Gio lo Celso, Alexis Mac Allister, and Enzo Fernandez time and space to work magic. Up front? The combined talents of Julian Alvarez, Angel Correa, Lautaro Martinez, and even Angel di Maria will win matches. Oh, and that Messi guy is still around too.
A weaker group should be no problem for these guys. Watch out – they know how to win knockout games too. Good luck to the field.
Let’s Predict
Group Stage
In order of finish:
| A | B | C | D |
| Argentina | Ecuador | Uruguay | Columbia |
| Chile | Venezuela | United States | Brazil |
| Canada | Mexico | Panama | Paraguay |
| Peru | Jamaica | Bolivia | Costa Rica |
Knockout Round
Quarterfinals
Argentina 3 – 0 Venezuela
Ecuador 1 – 0 Chile
Columbia 2 – 1 United States
Uruguay 2 – 2 Brazil, Brazil wins on penalties
Semifinals
Argentina 2 – 0 Ecuador
Columbia 1 – 1 Brazil, Columbia wins on penalties
3rd Place
Brazil 4 – 0 Ecuador
Final
Argentina 1 – 0 Columbia
Wrap-Up
Look, I know it’s boring to pick the favorites. But I just can’t see it unfolding any other way: Argentina is rolling and is under surprisingly little pressure. They waltz to Copa America 2024. See you on the pitch!
EXCELLENT SOCCER COVERAGE. Yes picking the favorites is boring but that is how it usually works in the soccer world. However I do think your knowledge and team coverage was really good. Look into the UCONN Huskey news app and you will see an article about UCONN’s Tim Tolokan Sports Information Director. He just received the College Sports Communicators Hall of Fame. You must read this entire article.
THIS COULD BE YOU SOME DAY !!!
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An excellent preview as always. Your writing just keeps getting better and better! I do think the US is going to beat Columbia, though, and make a surprise run to the semi-finals…
While my footie knowledge is limited, you explain things where us novices can understand and appreciate the craft. Nice coverage!