Clearly, there are four teams which have to be wondering what they did to deserve to get lumped together in Copa America. The United States knew exactly where it was landing atop of Group A, but getting drawn in with Colombia, Costa Rica and Paraguay was about as bad as it gets. It's sad that two of these four teams will be sent packing after just three matches. Even the hosts are definitively on notice that this could be a short stay in Copa America Centenario.
Copa America Group A Odds at BookMaker.eu
United States +135
Colombia +145
Costa Rica +685
Paraguay +865
ODDS ANALYSIS
Most groups, even in the World Cup, have a definitive team you'd expect to come out of the group and would be surprised if it didn't finish atop the foursome. That's not always how it plays out, of course, but it's at least expected.
Here in Group A of Copa America, there's no telling what's going to happen. The United States is the host nation, and that always provides a huge boost. That said, Colombia is probably the most talented team in the group, Costa Rica is the hottest team in the group, and Paraguay finished last year's Copa America as the fourth place finisher.
That's why the Yanks are just +135 to win this foursome, while Colombia is just behind them at +145.
GROUP A SCHEDULE
United States vs. Colombia ( June 3 )
Costa Rica vs. Paraguay ( June 4 )
United States vs. Costa Rica ( June 7 )
Colombia vs. Paraguay ( June 7 )
Paraguay vs. United States ( June 11 )
Costa Rica vs. Colombia ( June 11 )
THE KEY MATCH
United States vs. Colombia ( June 3 ) – Things could really go south in a hurry for the Yanks if they don't ultimately win this first match with Colombia. There's a lot of pressure on Jurgen Klinsmann to succeed at Copa America, and a loss at home to Los Cafeteros, as possible as it is, could be the start of a downward spiral which could see the USA put out of this tournament after just three matches. This could be the most competitive match of any of the first round affairs in this tournament, and you know tension is going to be high in Santa Clara as a result.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Klinsmann's biggest problem in this tournament is going to be finding the right combo of defenders at the back. The only man we have a ton of confidence in back there is DeAndre Yedlin, but only if he's used properly. He's a winger and should be used as such instead of in central defense or in the midfield, and his placement could be crucial for the success or failure of this team going forward.
Paraguay has similar problems in defense. This isn't the most structured back four on the face of the earth, but Paula da Silva can cover a lot of mistake. Da Silva is getting up there now at 36 years old, but with 133 Caps, he can certainly point some of these younger Paraguayan defenders into the right positions.
Colombia is an interesting team due to the fact that it has so much young talent all over the field. James Rodriguez has been handed the captain's armband at the age of just 24, and how well he wears it parlayed with his ability to wreck an opposing defense by himself might make him the most dangerous man in this group.
Bryan Ruiz though, is the man who scored three goals in the World Cup two years ago for Costa Rica. He's the captain of Los Ticos and will once again have to be really important to give them a chance to succeed in this tournament.
COPA AMERICA CENTENARIO GROUP A QUICK PICK
Group A Projections
United States: 3-0-0 ( 9 Points )
Colombia: 1-1-1 ( 4 Points )
Costa Rica: 1-1-1 ( 4 Points )
Paraguay: 0-0-3 ( 0 Points )
For all of the heat which Klinsmann has taken with failures in the Gold Cup and in the Confederations Cup playoff, the Americans have played pretty darn well over the course of the last several months. This could end up being their coronation once again to get them back on track with an eye pointed at Russia in 2018.
Colombia and Costa Rica could end up battling for second best, and the main difference is going to be the goal differential against Paraguay and the Americans. The better team will eke into the knockout round as we see it, though for betting purposes, we're all about the Stars and Stripes at plus odds to win the Group of Death.
Copa America Centenario Odds: United States ( +135 )
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! Copa America Centenario will begin on Friday, June 3, 2016 and run through the final on Sunday, June 26, 2016. The tournament will be seen across the FOX family of networks.
