Copa America Preview: Group C - USA to maximise home advantage?
After taking a look at Group A and Group B, we preview Group C ahead of the 2024 Copa America. We pick out the key player, the young player to watch and make a tournament prediction for Bolivia, Panama, Uruguay and USA.
Copa America History
Since their Copa America triumph in 1963, the closest Bolivia have come to silverware was to finish second in 1997, both of which came on home turf. Otherwise, La Verde have routinely struggled to navigate the group stages, and that should prove the case here.
Key Player - Leonel Justiniano
In what is expected to be a defensively-minded Bolivia, Leonel Justiniano is expected to be one of the first names on the teamsheet. The Bolivar midfielder won his 50th cap before the Copa America got underway and he'll need to be at his very best if Bolivia are to progress.
Young Player to Watch - Miguel Terceros
One of the few players in the Bolivia squad playing outside of their homeland, Miguel Terceros plies his trade for Brazilian side Santos. The 20-year-old is expected to operate in the number 10 role in Antonio Zago's favoured 4-2-3-1 setup, so there is plenty of pressure on Terceros to pry apart opposition defences.
Tournament Prediction - Group stages
Copa America History
Panama will feature in their second Copa America this summer. Their maiden campaign in the competition came in 2016, where they failed to make it beyond the group stages in USA. Expect similar this time around.
Key Player - Adalberto Carrasquilla
Adalberto Carrasquilla has quickly risen to become one Panama's most important players. The 25-year-old features regularly for MLS side Houston Dynamo FC with his range of passing key. If Panama are to upset the odds and make it beyond the group stages, then the midfielder has a significant role to play.
Young Player to Watch - Jose Cordoba
Panama boss Thomas Christiansen prefers a 3-4-3 system, and that should continue at the Copa America. As such, expect to see Jose Cordoba feature alongside Fidel Escobar and Andres Andrare this summer and Norwich fans in particular will be playing close attention to the 23-year-old centre-back, who earlier this month made the move to Carrow Road.
Tournament Prediction - Group stages
Copa America History
Level with Argentina on 15 Copa America titles, Uruguay are looking to claim South American silverware for the first time since 2011. That being said, Uruguay have failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals in the last four editions but with Marcelo Bielsa at the helm; anything is possible.
Key Player - Federico Valverde
Fresh from playing a key role in Real Madrid's Champions League success, Federico Valverde is hoping to follow up continental success with a Copa America winners' medal. The 25-year-old offers a bit of everything in the middle of the park and if Valverde plays to his best, then Uruguay will go far in the tournament.
Young Player to Watch - Facundo Pellistri
Despite Granada's relegation, Facundo Pellistri was solid during the second half of the La Liga season, even if he did receive his marching order on the final weekend of the season in a 7-0 loss to Girona. Able to beat a man with ease, with a fine end product to boot, and a hard worker out of possession; Uruguay's right side could prove destructive at the Copa America.
Tournament Prediction - Third place
Copa America History
The summer will mark USA's fifth appearance at the Copa America. They finished fourth back on home turf in 2016 and this young vibrant USMNT side will undoubtedly back themselves to make it out of the group stages.
Key Player - Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic was solid in his debut campaign at AC Milan as he scored 12 and provided eight assists to return a WhoScored rating of 7.16, that enough to make the Serie A team of the season. There is plenty of pressure on 'Captain America' this summer and supporters are hoping he can shoulder the burden on his old stomping ground.
Young Player to Watch - Folarin Balogun
Having switched allegiance to play for USA last May, Folarin Balogun may well lead the USMNT attack at the 2024 Copa America. Despite playing a bit-part role for Monaco, the 22-year-old striker managed seven goals and five assists in Ligue 1 last season. He failed to reach the heights of his impressive 2022/23 campaign but Balogun still did enough to prove he can carry the goalscoring burden for Gregg Berhalter's side.
Tournament Prediction - Quarter-finals
Group Prediction
1. Uruguay
2. USA
3. Panama
4. Bolivia
