Costa Rica Stuns Colombia 3-2, Which Means the US May Avoid Brazil in Quarterfinals
By Jason McIntyre
Want something more shocking than the U.S. blanking Costa Rica 4-0 and Paraguay 1-0 in Copa America this week?
Costa Rica stunning Colombia, 3-2 Saturday night in a result that completely upends the quarterfinal matchups. By virtue of the U.S. victories and the Colombia defeat, the Americans have captured Group A – something nobody could have guessed after stinking up the Rose Bowl in the opener – and will now play the 2nd place team in Group B – which probably means Peru or Ecuador.
Group B will be determined Sunday, and here are the standings:
Brazil 4
Peru 4
Ecuador 2
Haiti 0
Ecuador plays Haiti Sunday at 6:30 pm; Brazil plays Peru Sunday night at 8:30. Brazil has essentially trotted out its B team at Copa America, but is still favored to win the Group and the tournament. Four World Class stars are not playing – Neymar, Thiago Silva, David Luiz and Marcelo.
It would be a gift from the Soccer Gods for the U.S. – which lost to Colombia 2-0 in the opener and at the time, Jurgen Klinsmann’s head was on the chopping block – to play Peru or Ecuador on June 16th in the quarterfinals.
If you’re wondering about the US history with them, the Americans won a 2-1 friendly against Peru in September 2015, thanks to two goals from Jozy Altidore after the US fell behind 1-0.
Team USA played Ecuador just last month, winning 1-0 on a goal in the 90th minute by Darlington Nagbe.
Let’s try not get ahead of ourselves and talk about a potential semifinal matchup on June 21st with Lionel Messi and Argentina. If you missed it, Messi had a decent game Friday night at Copa America.