It’s only been one week since the start of the historical 100-year anniversary of La Copa América, taking place right here in the United States for the first time ever. With four groups, and 16 teams, one country will raise the famous trophy and enjoy the riches and bragging rights that come along with it.
In group A, the group of death, we see the first quarter finalists, Colombia, with two huge wins against the United States and Paraguay. Sitting on six points, Colombia is waiting on Group B results to see who they will face in the next round.
Colombian soccer coach and father, Oswaldo Fuentes, 32, from Verona, New Jersey, said he "would love to see Colombia win even though the team is a little weaker since the World Cup. If Colombia gets knocked out I'd like to see USA or Argentina win."
USA on the other hand was off to a slow start; they took their first loss against Colombia. But then the American team had a huge 4-0 win Tuesday night against Costa Rica.
Recent Bentley University graduate, Denio Hernandez, 22, from San Juan, Puerto Rico says he's, "definitely supporting the United States, I'm really looking forward to their upcoming game against Paraguay."
With no wins so far for Paraguay or Costa Rica, both teams are looking to play their hearts out as their quarter final chances depend on this weekend’s results. This Saturday, June 11, the United States will face Paraguay at 7pET and Colombia will play Costa Rica at 9pET.
Group B, with two teams sitting on 4 points is in for an interesting week. Both Brazil and Peru have 4 points, with Ecuador at 2, and Haiti at 0.
Brazil's a favorite to make it out of the group but if the team ties Peru on Sunday June 12 at 8:30pET and Ecuador gets a win against Haiti (also Sunday at 6:30pET), then Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador will all have 5 points and the goal differential rule will come into effect to decide the two quarter finalists.
Julio Martinez, 28, from Belleville, New Jersey was born in the United States to Ecuadorian and Guatemalan parents. Julio said, "This Sunday is do or die for Ecuador. If they were to get knocked out I would support Chile because Alexis Sanchez is one of my favorite players, or Colombia because of the young talent they have."
One of the teams in this group will have to face Colombia in the quarter finals.
Groups C and D are both a game behind and play Thursday and Friday. In group C, Mexico is showing no signs of slowing down as they continue their unbeaten streak under new coach Juan Carlos Osorio. Recently ‘El Tri’ defeated 15-time champion, Uruguay 3-1 in their first match.
Soccer fan Ana Sofia Benavides, 21, from Monterrey, Mexico said, "I see Mexico making it to the finals. If they were to get knocked out I would support Colombia because of my friends. They are all so passionate about their country and sport."
On the other side of the group Venezuela had a crucial 1-0 over Jamaica. Thursday night, Uruguay without Barcelona FC forward Luis Suarez will face Venezuela at 7:30pET and Mexico — with a win against Jamaica — at 10pET will clinch a spot in the quarter finals.
Group D witnessed Argentina take down defending champions Chile in a battle of champions that finished 2-1. Panama also beat Bolivia by the same score. On Friday June 10, Chile will look to defend their title against Bolivia and make it out of the group at 7pET and Argentina will face Panama at 9:30pET
Soccer fans are in for quite the action-packed weekend.