2019 Copa America - Team of the Group Stage
GK: Wuilker Farinez - Venezuela
With a group including Brazil and Peru, Venezuela needed to step up as a team and play some very good defense. Well… they did. Venezuela only allowed one goal over their 3 games in Group A and a lot of this was due to the play of Farinez. He was starting in net for all 3 games and was asked to make a total of 8 saves. Keeping a draw against Brazil and moving onto the Quarter-finals over Peru is a huge achievement for this team and especially Farinez.
LB: Felipe Luis - Brazil
You might notice a trend on the defense for my team in this blog but it is well deserving. Brazil as a team didn’t allow a single goal in their Group A games against Venezuela, Peru, and Bolivia. Their starting left-back Felipe Luis played so well over these games and started all of them as well. Though he didn’t factor in offensively like he has in the past, he was the most consistent starting left-back for a top defensive team in this group stage.
CB: Thiago Silva - Brazil
Playing next to Luis and making this Team of the Group Stage is Thiago Silva. Silva out played his club and country teammate Marquinhos as he was the best center-back across all three games in this group stage. Silva’s skill with the ball at his feet and defensive ability was a huge reason why striker’s had a tough time getting through the middle.
CB: Jose Gimenez - Uruguay
The one non-Brazilian on my back-line in this blog with be Gimenez. Gimenez and the Uruguay back-line only allowed 2 goals in 3 games, both coming in one game. Being paired with star Diego Godin he may have a nice boost but you can’t watch Uruguay and not notice what Gimenez does defensively. Even offensively… he was able to score a goal as well and help Uruguay finish 1st in Group C.
RB: Dani Alves - Brazil
Round out my Brazli… I mean Team of the Group Stage is Dani Alves. Alves started and played in all three group stage games for Brazil and as previously said… THEY DIDN’T ALLOW A GOAL! Alves did what we are accustomed to see him do, he bombed up into the attack, played lockdown defense, and came in with that key veteran leadership. Alves was able to finish with a goal as well in this group stage.
CM: Charles Aranguiz - Chile
Maybe one of the lesser known names on this Team of the Group Stage, Aranguiz lit things up for Chile. The midfielder was able to distribute so well and account for half of Chile’s goals in the group stage. Aranguiz totalled 3 assists for Chile across 3 total starts in this Copa America.
CM: Nicolas Lodiero - Uruguay
MLS STAND UP! Nico Lodiero the superstar for the Seattle Sounders and best friend of Luis Suarez is here after 3 starts for Uruguay in this tournament. Lodiero scored a fantastic goal in Uruguay’s 1st game of the tournament as well as adding an assist later on. He has become a key starter for Uruguay in this tournament and someone who will need to step up moving forward.
CM: Philippe Coutinho - Brazil
The final “midfielder” is also my final Brazilian player, Coutinho. The Barcelona player came out and dominated for Brazil in their 1st game of the Copa America. Then after a tough 2nd game he would finish off with a well played game against Peru. Coutinho would finish the group stage with 2 goals and an assist. He seems to be THE GUY for Brazil to potentially bring home the trophy.
FWD: Alexis Sanchez - Chile
Manchester United fans are furious as Alexis Sanchez is TEARING it up for Chile. Sanchez looked like the best player so far in this Copa America as he finished with 2 goals and an assist in his three games against Uruguay, Japan, and Ecuador.
FWD: Luis Suarez - Uruguay
Best friend of MLS star Nico Lodiero, Suarez was the best player on a Uruguay squad that finished 1st in Group C. Suarez would score 2 goals in this time with an assist, acting like the star Barcelona striker that he is. Great games from Suarez and Uruguay in this one so far.
FWD: James Rodriguez - Colombia
My final player from this Group Stage has to be the Colombian World Cup hero James Rodriguez. And I know how you all read his name “Ha-Mez” no… its “Jay-ms” just ask the Cooligans. James would get in on the goal total for Colombia but he would help distribute. Rodriguez would finish with 2 assists and easily be the best player on the field for Colombia.
