COPA AMÉRICA 2011
SEBASTIAN PÉREZ FERREIRO
June 16, 2011
WITH A TICKET TO THE 2013 CONFEDERATIONS CUP ON THE LINE AND A CHANCE TO SEE STARS SUCH AS LIONEL MESSI, DANI ALVES AND DIEGO FORLAN, THE COPA AMÉRICA (JULY 1--24) WILL BE THE BEST INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION OF THE YEAR
CHILE
LA ROJA'S fierce attack showcases wily target man Humberto Suazo (Monterrey) and winger Alexis Sánchez (Udinese). Gone is Marcelo (El Loco) Bielsa, the coach who instilled discipline and fearlessness. His laissez-faire successor, Claudio Borghi, who is afraid of flying, might be in for a crash landing.
PREDICTION Group runner-up
MEXICO
HAVING gone all-in on the CONCACAF Gold Cup in June, El Tri is sending its B team, meaning no Javier (Chicharito) Hernández on the frontline and no Rafa Márquez on the back. But the mostly Under-22 squad will showcase a dozen prospects that have electrified the Mexican league, several of whom may soon join Chicharito across the pond.
PREDICTION First-round exit
PERU