Copa America semifinals: USA vs. Argentina

Monday, June 20, 2016

Copa America semifinals: USA vs. Argentina

Copa America, USA, Argentina, Lionel Messi

It seems to be an impossible feat for the United States to beat Argentina. The United States will be up agaist Argentina in Tuesday’s Copa América semifinal in Houston after the Argentines beat Venezuela 4-1 on Saturday in Foxborough, Mass., behind two goals from Gonzalo Higuaín, one from Lionel Messi (which tied Argentina's all-time record) and one from Erik Lamela. Venezuela had a chance to get back in their quarterfinal just before halftime, but a failed Panenka attempt on a penalty kick thwarted the Vinotino's momentum, and Argentina rolled to the result.

USA will not only be dealing with limiting Lionel Messi they are also dealing with three suspensions (to Jermaine Jones, Bobby Wood and Alejandro Bedoya). Defendig against Messi will be their top priority, it will have to be a collective defensive effort by the team.

Kyle Beckerman has to come up huge they can’t be chasing shadows against the best player in the world, one who’s in terrific form during this Copa América.

As for Argentina, the weak link is going to be the pairing of Nicolás Otamendi and Ramiro Funes Mori, they were mediocre in the Premier League this past season with Manchester City and Everton

Still Argentina will be the favorite to win this game but the US still has a chance no matter how slim it is.