Copa America Preview: Group B - Who will join Mexico in the knockouts?
Having taken a look at Group A, we turn attention to Group B at the Copa America. We pick out the key player, the young player to watch and make a tournament prediction for Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico and Venezuela.
Copa America History
The furthest Ecuador have reached in the Copa America in their history is to finish fourth, doing so twice in 1959 and 1993. Since the latter, they have made it beyond the group stages just three times, reaching the quarter-finals, achieving the feat in 1997, 2016 and 2021.
Ecuador's top scorer in their history will aim to fire La Tri into the knockout stages. Enner Valencia certainly caught the eye at the 2022 World Cup having struck three times in Ecuador's eventual group stage exit, and while the 34-year-old is struggling for game time for Internacional, he's still expected to lead the line in their Copa America campaign.
Young Player to Watch - Moises Caicedo
Ecuador have a number of promising yoing players on the books. Piero Hincapie and Willian Pacho ply their trade in the Bundesliga for Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt, respectively, but the stand out remains Chelsea's Moises Caicedo. After a mixed debut campaign with the Blues, the 22-year-old will look to rediscover his best form at the Copa America.
Tournament Prediction - Quarter-finals
Copa America History
Jamaica are hoping that third time's the charm this summer. The Reggae Boyz have made two Copa America appearances, crashing out in the group stages in 2015 and 2016. They booked their spot in the 2024 edition as they reached the semi-finals of the 2023/24 CONCACAF Nations League A.
Key Player - Bobby Decordova-Reid
Bobby Decordova-Reid failed to nail down a regular starting spot for Fulham last season, with 17 of his 33 appearances coming from the outset, but a return of six goals and two assists is solid. The 31-year-old is one of the first names on the teamsheet for Jamaica and he'll look to make an impact down the right in their expected 3-4-3 setup.
Young Player to Watch - Karoy Anderson
Charlton may have laboured to a 16th-placed finish in League One last season, yet Karoy Anderson is one who made a sustained impact for the Addicks in midfield. The 19-year-old averaged a modest 2.5 tackles per 90 for the south London side, and managed a tackle success rate of 71.4%.
Tournament Prediction - Group stages
Copa America History
Mexico have a fairly decent record at the Copa America. They have finished as runners' up twice and made the semi-finals three times. They have failed to make it out of the group stage on just two of the 10 times they have participated in the competition. Having not been invited to the 2019 and 2021 editions, they'll look to make up for lost time in USA.
Perhaps the first name on the Mexico teamsheet, Edson Alvarez will hope the experience of a debut season in the Premier League will stand him in good stead this summer. The 26-year-old is a ball-winning machine at the best of times, a trait that'll provide a solid foundation for El Tri to once again progress to the knockout stages of the Copa America.
Young Player to Watch - Santiago Gimenez
Santiago Gimenez was one of the Eredivisie's top marksmen last season having ended the campaign with 23 goals. While Feyenoord were unable to defend their crown in Arne Slot's final season, Gimenez's stock rose further and he'll be the one to lead the Mexico attack this summer.
Tournament Prediction - Quarter-finals
Copa America History
After a 40-year stint of not making it beyond the group stages, Venezuela have reached the Copa America knockouts in four of the last six editions, with a fourth-placed finish in 2011 marking their best return in the competition.
Fresh from playing a key role in Girona's top four finish in La Liga last season, Yangel Herrera will be looking to help another underdog upset the odds this summer. The 26-year-old's defensive work is of the upmost importance for Venezuela, with Herrera returning a modest 2.7 tackles per 90 in Spain's top tier last term. A 71.1% tackle success rate further serves to highlight his solid work off the ball, a quality that'll be vital in a navigable Group B
Young Player to Watch - Daniel Pereira
Whether he'll start remains to be seen but Daniel Pereira has again been solid for Austin FC in MLS this season. The 22-year-old is tidy in possession, as evidenced by a 90.3% pass success rate in the 2024 MLS campaign, while he's willing to push forward when on the ball, too, with the young midfielder averaging 1.4 successful dribbles per 90.
Tournament Prediction - Group stages
Group Prediction
1. Mexico
2. Ecuador
3. Venezuela
4. Jamaica
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