The USA are the soccer betting favorites in group A, but that may not mean much in the closest the Copa America has to a “group of death.” It’s not difficult to picture any of the four teams making it through to the next round. But after five years under Klinsmann and with the luxury of being the host, team USA will not be spared by fans who bet on soccer if they don’t finish first or second, in particular now that Klinsmann has told the press the semifinals are the goal in sight.
It’s an interesting time for the US. Talented newcomers such as Christian Pulisic, Darlington Nagbe, and Bobby Wood are giving the team a makeover. While they may be fixtures at the World Cup in two years, their potential to make an impact at the Copa is not yet known. Klinsmann must to find a proper equilibrium between experience and youth.
Colombia would be the soccer betting favorite on paper, but it has floundered a little since its run to the 2014 World Cup quarterfinals. Los Cafeteros lost to Argentina on penalties in last year’s Copa America quarters, scoring only one goal in four games, and its 3-2-1 World Cup qualifying record is modest to say the least. Nonetheless, they have plenty of talent – to the point that veterans such as Radamel Falcao, Teófilo Gutiérrez, and Jackson Martínez were left out of the main roster.
Costa Rica and Paraguay will intrigue fans who bet on soccer. Los Ticos proved they’re tournament material two years in Brazil, are comfortable playing in American soil, and have several players in the MLS, England and Spain. Conventionally a defensive leviathan, Paraguay’s anchors is Club América defender Miguel Samudio. Any team that can keep a clean sheet is a force to be reckoned with.
Carlos Bacca of Colombia is an AC Milan forward completes a trident with midfielders James Rodríguez and Juan Cuadrado. He’s scored 20 goals in each of the past four seasons (including two with Sevilla and one with Club Brugge) and has scored three times in World Cup qualifiers. Rodríguez was the breakout star of the 2014 World Cup but has faded since his move to Real Madrid, and started only 17 La Liga games this season Copa America. However, he managed eight goals in all competitions and has scored two times for his country in World Cup qualifiers. At his creative peak, James can rule the turf. If he finds that je ne sais quoi again at the Copa, Colombia can go far places. Soccer betting fans are bound to be torn as to which team to pick from this particular group.