Copa America 2016 – The Top Scorers and Videos of Best Goals So Far; 'Dark Horse' Team and the Developing Plot Lines - Messi's Cup?
Mexico Leads Goal Count with Colombia, Argentina, Panama Tagging Behind
UPDATE - June 10, 2016: Here is the latest table of top scorers of the Copa America. Click here. Also, watch the BEST goals of the tournament so far. Click here.
With eight matches into the Copa America 2016 as well as the initiating second round of games that start today with USA vs. CRC and COL vs. PAR, the Christian Post takes a look at the highlights in the tournament so far -- top scorers, top goals, key players to look out for, 'dark horse' team, group of death and developing plot-lines.
Top Scorers (Updated 7:30 a.m. ET - June 8, 2016 )
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Fourteen goals have been scored so far in a tournament that started last Friday, June 3, 2016. With the second round of game on its way USA and Colombia lead the way with 4 goals each. Mexico follows the goal count with 3 goals while Argentina and Panama have 2 goals each. Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Venezuela and Peru all have scored 1 goal and the remaining Jamaica, Costa Rica, Brazil, Ecuador, USA and Haiti still seek to score their first.
The top scorers after the first round of games are
2 Goals
James Rodriguez (COL)
Blas Perez (PAN) with 2 goals.
1 Goal
Di Maria (ARG)
Ever Banega (ARG)
Jose Fuenzalida (CHI)
Josef Martinez (VEN)
Juan Carlos Arce (BOL)
Diego Godin (URU)
Paolo Guerrero (PER)
Hector Herrera (MEX)
Rafael Marquez (MEX)
Cristian Zapata (COL)
Clint Dempsey (USA)
Graham Zusi (USA)
Victor Ayala (PAR)
Bobby Wood (USA)
Jermaine Jones (USA)
Top Goals
These are arguably the top 3 goals so far in random order. Note, however, that Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi were benched in their respective games due to injury. If they had played, these results would've probably been different. We have a jewel of a goal however from Rafa Marquez.
COL 2 - USA 0 - Cristian Zapata scores off Edwin Cardona's corner kick in the 8th minute
MEX 3 - URU 1 - Rafa Marquez fires the go-ahead goal in the 85th minute
ARG 2 - URU 1 Di Maria's scores off a pass from Banega at the 51th minute.
The 'Dark Horse' Team
If we were to choose a "dark horse" team among the underdogs, meaning all teams except juggernauts and favorties Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Chile (reigning champions) we would go with Costa Rica. Currently ranked 25th in the world (FIFA), the 'Los Ticos' is no squad to be snubbed. This squad has plenty of players with international experience including Celso Borges (Deportivo la Coruna), Bryan Ruiz (Sporting Lisbon) and Joel Campell (Chelsea).
Group of Death
The "big" teams are well distributed throughout the four groups of the Copa America and there is no clear "Group of Death" (fans may cheer) but if we were to select one group just for the sake of choosing, it would probably be Group A - USA, Colombia, Costa Rica and Paraguay. All teams rank 39 and under according to Fifa world rankings.
Developing Plotlines
These are some of the developing plot lines as the Copa America unfolds. Would you agree to them?
- Too many injured stars such as Messi, Suarez, Rodriguez, who are all from Spanish teams. Some people may be asking themselves whether it is too much of a coincidence for this to happen.
- Mexico has a home advantage. With the sheer number of Mexican immigrants in the U.S., Mexico fans are expected to turn out in droves during Mexico games. Is it an unfair advantage?
- Messi's Copa America. Could this be Messi's Copa America? Will it be his last?
