Much of the buzz ahead of the Copa America Centenario is about Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and the USA, but people forget that none of those teams are the reigning Copa America champion. Chile is travelling to the United States at full force and won’t be shy in defending their title.
Out of the players who helped Chile defeat Argentina in a penalty shootout to clinch the 2015 title, only Jorge Valdivia and Angelo Henriquez are not on the 23-man roster for 2016.
Valdivia’s absence will surely be a blow in the build-up for Chile. El Mago finished the last Copa America tied with Lionel Messi atop the assists chart. Nevertheless, the likes of Matias Fernande and Arturo Vidal should be more than capable of picking up the extra weight.
The most notable change in the Chilean squad is the addition of manager Juan Antonio Pizzi after the departure of Jorge Sampaoli. Almost ten years younger than his predecessor, Pizzi’s track record is still not on par with Sampaoli’s, but the 47-year-old will get a chance to prove his worth defending the title.
So far Pizzi is 1-1 in his career as a national team manager with a win over Venezuela and one loss to Argentina in the World Cup Qualifiers with Chile.
Chile Players To Watch:
Eduardo Vargas
Photo: @Cooperativa | Twitter
His season with Hoffenheim was disappointing, with Vargas scoring only two goals in 24 matches played. However, whenever he puts on a Chile jersey Vargas seems to be a different man. Last year he took the crown of Copa America’s top scorer, tying Peru’s Paolo Guerreiro with four goals.
This year he’s on the hunt for the title of top scorer in the World Cup Qualifiers, trailing the current leader Felipe Caicedo of Ecuador by just one goal. In just four matches with his national team Vargas has scored three goals, more than he did in a whole season with Hoffenheim.
The striker is as fast as they come and always seems to be in the right place when Chile needs him to score.
Arturo Vidal
The influential midfielder is tied with Vargas with three goals in the South American World Cup Qualifiers. And yet, unlike his national team teammate, Vidal had a season to remember with Bayern Munich.
Vidal arrived to replace Bayern legend Bastian Schweinsteiger but gave them much more than most fans expected.
A leader on the field and a powerful enforcer protecting the Bavarian defense, Vidal finished the season with four goals and five assists in the Bundesliga. In the US, he’ll have a tough challenge ahead. In order to make up for the creativity lost with the absence of Valdivia, Vidal will have to play a more active role in Chile’s playmaking, something he has been doing well during the qualifiers.
Alexis Sanchez
Alexis y Copa Centenario: Tenemos que ir a ganar https://t.co/UBSfwDSB6Y #Chile pic.twitter.com/uk6erEbpm8
— Gambeta (@Gambeta_cl) April 4, 2016
The most recognizable player on the squad, Sanchez will also be the one with the most weight on his shoulders. He’s the most prolific goal-scorer and playmaker in the team. Aided by his unmatched speed and skill, Sanchez might just be the most skilled player in the tournament after Lionel Messi.
The Arsenal man scored 22 goals and tallied 14 assists in national team and club competitions in 2015-16. Sanchez scored the winning penalty kick in the last Copa America and will be looking to do just the same this time around.
Notable absences: Jorge Valdivia.
Complete 23-Man Chile Roster:
Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo (Barcelona), Johnny Herrera (Universidad de Chile), Cristopher Toselli (Universidad Catolica)
Defenders: Mauricio Isla (Marseille), Jose Pedro Fuenzalida (Universidad Catolica), Gonzalo Jara (Universidad de Chile), Enzo Roco (Espanyol), Gary Medel (Inter), Eugenio Mena (Sao Paulo)
Midfielders: Jean Beausejour (Colo Colo), Marcelo Diaz (Celta Vigo), Francisco Silva (Chiapas), Erick Pulgar (Bologna), Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich), Matias Fernandez (Fiorentina), Charles Aranguiz (Bayer Leverkusen), Pablo Hernandez (Celta Vigo), Edson Puch (LDU Quito).
Forwards: Nicolas Castillo (Universidad Catolica), Fabian Orellana (Celta Vigo), Mauricio Pinilla (Atalanta), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal), Eduardo Vargas (Hoffenheim)
