PITCH NOTES [COPA 100 Review]
1) Chile wins second straight Copa America; Messi announces international retirement
After a month of matches, the special edition Copa America Centenario concluded with a rematch of the 2015 Copa America Final: Chile versus Argentina. And like 2015, Chile prevailed over Lionel Messi and La Albiceleste in penalties following another scoreless 120+ minutes of play. In fact, Chile almost prevailed by the same penalty shootout scoreline as the year before except Argentina managed to convert one additional penalty attempt, 4:2.
So, congratulations to Chile for winning the Copa America Centenario!
As for the second part of the preceding header, Lionel Messi shockingly announced his retirement from international competition during a post-match interview. From Grant Wahl, Sports Illustrated and FOX Sports contributor:
Messi: "The national team is over for me. It's not for me after 4 finals. The decision is taken, I believe." https://t.co/AaK94pq9xG— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) June 27, 2016
To be honest, many supporters of the beautiful game including myself hope that this is merely the emotions of the moment getting the best of Messi but if this is indeed the end for Messi with La Albiceleste, then:
Thank you to Lionel Messi for an amazing international career and for allowing us the opportunity to witness your remarkable skills and talent. The free kick you scored against the United States in the semifinal match of the Copa America Centenario was simply fantastic (or as Ray Hudson would say: magisterial).
2) USMNT falls to Colombia, again, in consolation match; finishes fourth at Copa 100
For the USMNT, Copa 100 ended in the same manner it started; losing to Colombia, 0:1. Following their four-goal dismantling at the feet of Messi and Argentina in the semifinal match, the USMNT looked to secure their highest finish in a major international competition. (Sorry Gold Cup) Unfortunately, I was unable to watch the match but the USMNT failed to rectify their loss from the opening match of the tournament.
In my opinion, the USMNT could (and should) count Copa 100 as a successful tournament. Yes, the USMNT did lose three matches by a combined scoreline of 0:7 but they also won three consecutive matches: Costa Rica (4:0), Paraguay (1:0), and Ecuador (2:1)--a combined scoreline of 7:1. On another note, the USMNT did finish the tournament having advanced further than any other CONCACAF side and by not being humiliated by seven goals in one match (See Mexico vs. Chile).
For the USMNT, the focus returns to World Cup qualifying with two matches in September: 09.02 at Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and 09.06 versus Trinidad and Tobago. At present, the USMNT sits in second place in Group 3 with seven points from four matches and lead third-place Guatemala by a single point.
