# Copa America 2024

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copa-america-2024/1003139>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Tags:** football-soccer-fifa\
**Created:** [June 20, 2024, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copa-america-2024/1003139 "2024-06-20T22:22:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 7

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**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copa-america-2024/1003139/121 "2024-07-10T02:16:52Z")

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There’s been a whole inevitable feel about this tournament from the beginning. Sure, other teams were interesting here and there for a while, but it could be sensed from Day 1 that this was going to end inevitably with Messi winning his 3rd international trophy for Argentina and then retiring.

Few more days.

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**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copa-america-2024/1003139/122 "2024-07-10T02:20:36Z")

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Unless they get better soon I don’t see anything inevitable about it.  
May be it’s my fault, I still haven’t got the tattoos I promised to get if we won the WC (you try and get the time, money, and courage to tattoo yourself for the first time in this economical and political climate!, I’m also in the middle of buying a house)

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**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copa-america-2024/1003139/123 "2024-07-10T02:22:48Z")

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The WC had some sense of inevitability about it with Messi playing lights out. He’s not here so it would feel less cinematic if they win an ugly final with him not dominating.

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**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copa-america-2024/1003139/124 "2024-07-10T02:33:50Z")

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I tell ya, if Canada ever learn how to finish, watch out 😄

Kind of went as predicted. Canada looked pretty good but it never really felt like Argentina was in trouble. Kone looked good, and Canada’s passing in tight spaces seemed pretty good as well. Too bad that Tani couldn’t finish either (or both 😉) of those two late chances.

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**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copa-america-2024/1003139/125 "2024-07-10T02:36:28Z")

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At this point Canada looks like the only Concacaf team ready for the 2026 world cup, the US needs to step up their game.  
Mexico… always has very colorful supporters…

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**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copa-america-2024/1003139/126 "2024-07-10T03:17:13Z")

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I predicted Canada would lose 3-0. They are dramatically improved, and far exceeding my expectations. Marsch seems to have done well. But they struggle to score and make some occasional big blunders.

That said, Canada should be proud of their efforts. Some beautiful passing, a few well-earned chances, plenty of hustle, some good goalkeeping. Argentina was clearly better, some beautiful goals, but were sometimes slower and often rough. As a referee myself I don’t like to blame officials, but Canada and Argentina were about equally chippy yet Canada had three times as many fouls. It’s not like Argentina needed that boost to win. I don’t think this was intentional, however.

Canada won’t win the World Cup. But they looked way better than expected and the omens are good. Score some goals and we might make it to the next round or two at the Worlds. They did earn some pretty good chances in the final ten minutes. Even that is new, at this level of play.

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**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copa-america-2024/1003139/127 "2024-07-10T03:20:13Z")

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Agree on all counts.  
A word to the wise though, even if you think your country is going to win the world cup, NEVER say it out loud, (I know you did the opposite, but is the same sentiment, the world cup is sacred, saying that you WON’T win implies the possibility of someday winning it). I’m an atheist but I firmly believe in the cruel gods of Football, and they don’t look kindly on such things 😁

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**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copa-america-2024/1003139/128 "2024-07-10T03:28:44Z")

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If the football gods are that contrarian, maybe the smart play is to state the obvious about Canadian World Cup chances. Argentina is in a different position, they have more expectations and obligations.

Is my folly as offensive to _brujeria_ as changing _yerba mate_ pourers halfway or Madonnaesque bemoaning of the lack of _porteño_ vegan options in the country with the world’s best _asado_?

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**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copa-america-2024/1003139/129 "2024-07-10T03:31:14Z")

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> [@Dr\_Paprika](#):
>
> Is my folly as offensive to _brujeria_ as changing _yerba mate_ pourers halfway or Madonnaesque bemoaning of the lack of _porteño_ vegan options in the country with the world’s best _asado_?

😁  
Nah, very low chance, but it’s best to be careful.

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**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copa-america-2024/1003139/130 "2024-07-10T22:20:44Z")

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Guess you have better intuition than me.

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**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copa-america-2024/1003139/131 "2024-07-10T22:32:08Z")

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Heh, I hadn’t even seen the news yet.

> **[Sources: Gregg Berhalter out as USMNT head coach following Copa América group...](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/sources-gregg-berhalter-out-usmnt-head-coach-following-copa-america-group-stage-exit)**
>
> A little more than a week after the USMNT became the first Copa América host to be eliminated in the group stage of the world's oldest international tournament, Gregg Berhalter will no longer be the team's head coach, multiple sources tell FOX...

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**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copa-america-2024/1003139/132 "2024-07-10T22:43:47Z")

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People are calling for Klopp. Obviously very successful, and with a connection to Pulisic at Dortmund, but that seems very unlikely to me. I think Steve Cherundolo is probably the most likely. Marcelo Gallardo would be an interesting idea though, I think. Spent a season in MLS a decade ago too.

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**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copa-america-2024/1003139/133 "2024-07-11T00:50:23Z")

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Colombia up one goal , but now down one man, deservedly so in my very inexpert opinion.

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**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copa-america-2024/1003139/134 "2024-07-11T00:52:57Z")

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¡Ay hombe!

I’d like to see Colombia win. Beautiful goal, some other nice efforts. I didn’t see what set Muñoz off, but this is unfortunate.

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**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copa-america-2024/1003139/135 "2024-07-11T01:15:35Z")

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Chippy start to the second half.

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**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copa-america-2024/1003139/136 "2024-07-11T01:16:00Z")

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One yellow for taking out someone’s legs . Then he got a second for elbowing someone in the chest off the ball. He was showing the ref he had a mark on himself apparently a Uruguayan had pinched him but that was not seen.

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**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copa-america-2024/1003139/137 "2024-07-11T01:32:40Z")

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Suarez has to finish that. On first look I thought he should have gone far post, but on replay that was a more difficult angle than I thought.

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**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copa-america-2024/1003139/138 "2024-07-11T01:38:50Z")

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This expulsion is another data point confirming Lucas Rodríguez’ General Colombian Player Theory.  
The LRGCPT states that Colombian players do not pay attention to the match situation, they play the same way in a friendly than in a semi, the same way when winning than wen losing, do not know or care how many yellows they have, let alone how many the other players have.

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**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copa-america-2024/1003139/139 "2024-07-11T01:55:33Z")

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Colombia doing pretty good at limiting Uruguay, but man they blew two golden chances to go up 2-0 at the other end.

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**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copa-america-2024/1003139/140 "2024-07-11T01:58:32Z")

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The pinch is what I mean. Clearly he was going to be carded for the chop.

How much papaya could Uruguay serve? Two straightforward opportunities to put it away. But they held on.

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