Copa America Centenario: A Retrospective

 

If there are still any doubts that soccer is gaining in popularity throughout the United States, those were surely put to rest with the conclusion of the recently completed Copa America Centenario.  Playing host to this prestigious South American soccer tournament for the first time in its one hundred year history, America put on quite a show from coast to coast.  

From the continuing surge in popularity of Major League Soccer to the number of American born footballers now playing overseas, it appears that the nation is finally ready to compete. This year’s Copa America was an opportunity for America to showcase the sport in ten different cities, and record breaking crowds attended each match in force. Playing host to 16 different national clubs, including the number one ranked team Argentina, provided a chance for soccer fans around the world to sit back and enjoy the festivities.

For their part, host United States made a surprising run through group A. Losing only one match and finishing with 6 points, the club made their way to the knockout round where they ended up in a semi final clash with Messi and his Argentinian counterparts. It was at that point where the United States team fought valiantly, but demonstrated that they have some work to do before they can be considered among the world’s elite. At the same time, passionate crowds followed the American team from venue to venue, culminating in their consolation match defeat to Columbia at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Another story line was Brazil’s lack of an appearance at the tournament. Fans from around the world travel to see the club play whenever they are present, yet the team did not even make it out of group play. That resulted in the firing of their coach, which leaves the club once again in a state of turmoil just prior to the Olympics to be held in their own native land.

Through it all, the matches were filled to near capacity, with an epic championship battle between Argentina and Chile playing itself out at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. Playing to a 0-0 tie through regulation and into the extended period, the final was decided on penalty kicks. Messi would start things off with a miss, which was rather staggering to both himself and the thousands in attendance, eventually resulting in a 2-4 Chile win on penalty kicks. The newly minted Centenario Cup was handed over to the Chileans, capping a tremendous month of soccer that only serves to further the sport throughout North America.

Who knows how long it will be before international soccer at this level is once again played in the United States. It could be decades, or the World Cup could be set to take place before we know it. What is certain, however, is that American fans are ready to highlight to the world that they not only enjoy this most international of sports, but that that they can compete at the highest level as well.

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