Group B at 2024 Copa América will have one of the more popular teams in the Americas in Mexico, but they are joined by Ecuador, Jamaica, and Venezuela. The four teams will create some intrigue as a couple of teams are trying to figure out who they can be while others may be hoping to steal a victory or two to get out of the group.
The hope for these teams is that they can win the group and avoid a potential quarterfinal matchup against Argentina, but to do that they’ll have to survive against each other. Mexico and Ecuador appear to be the best teams in the group, but Jamaica and Venezuela will try to claw their way out of the group as well.
Schedule
Saturday, June 22nd
Ecuador vs. Venezuela
Mexico vs. Jamaica
Wednesday, June 26th
Ecuador vs. Jamaica
Venezuela vs. Mexico
Sunday, June 30th
Mexico vs. Ecuador
Jamaica vs. Venezuela
Mexico
Mexico enters this tournament with a lot of questions. Some mainstays in the El Tri lineup are not on the Copa América roster, including goalkeeper Memo Ochoa and attackers Hirving “Chucky” Lozano and Raúl Jimenez. There are some fresh faces on this list along with some experience, but putting it together has proven tricky. They lost badly to Uruguay and barely to Brazil in their most recent Copa America tune-ups, leading many to wonder how far they can really go. Still, they’re the class of this group…if they can play like it.
FIFA Ranking: 14
Odds of Winning Group: Favorites
One to Watch: Can Julián Quiñones be the 9 that leads Mexico to glory?
Ecuador
Ecuador is a team that many people forget about in this tournament, but have the players to get out of the group. They made it to the quarters in 2016 and 2021, and they’re searching for a way to break through that wall and make it to the final four. Enner Valencia is still leading the team, but there are some youngsters that will have to step up for La Tricolor to take it to the next level.
FIFA Ranking: 31
Odds of Winning: In the mix
One to Watch: Moisés Caicedo is 22 years old and, with his experience with Chelsea FC, is ready to be the man at defensive midfield to help steer the team forward.
Jamaica
Jamaica enters Copa América with some internal strife, as some players were actively taking the Jamaican Football Federation to task for lack of payments and unacceptable training resources. Leon Bailey initially said that he would not play for Jamaica until those things were settled. It appears they have come to some resolution, because Jamaica finally has its full squad, and that gives them hope that they can grab a victory or two and emerge from the group.
FIFA Ranking: 55
Odds of Winning: Dark horse
One to Watch: Time for Michail Antonio to really be the man for Jamaica up front.
Venezuela
Venezuela is the team that, on paper, most are probably writing off in this group. However, they made the knockout stage in 2016 and 2019 and they’re hoping to return to that level of play. However, they’ve been a team in transition. Nine players on the roster have 10 or fewer caps, and there’s a lot of pressure on them to jump into the deep end and swim with the sharks. La Vinotinto hopes to be involved in these matches, but they may need a win and some help to advance to the quarterfinals.
FIFA Ranking: 54
Odds of Winning: Needs help
One to Watch: Rafael Romo needs to have a great performance between the sticks to keep Venezuela in matches.
Who will advance from Group B? What matches are most interesting to you? Let us know in the comments.
Source link : https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/copa-america/2024/6/17/24180128/2024-copa-america-group-b-preview-mexico-ecuador-jamaica-venezuela
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Publish date : 2024-06-17 11:24:16
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