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Colombia and Chile are battling for the right to face off against Argentina in the final of the Copa America. For Chile, it would be a rematch of the 2015 Copa America final a year ago, in which they defeated Argentina to take home the title. For Colombia, it would be their best chance in years to take home their first piece of silverware in 15 years.
Both teams are riding high on waves of talent that are more or less golden generations. For Chile this is a first. Chile has a population of 17 million, and somehow among that 17 million they have fielded a team of 23 players that comprise nothing less than one of the five best teams in the world.
Countries with much greater populations and many more resources look up in awe and/or envy at the football they play (the US included) and, really, they can’t do much else but stare.
For Colombia this is a return to form. In the early 90s Colombian football was some of the best in the world. But unfortunately it was heavily connected to drug lord Pablo Escobar, and his downfall as well as a crack down on money laundering (one of the biggest ways illegal drug trafficking and Colombia club football interacted) led to a downfall for Colombian football as well.
It has been a slow ascendancy, but now Colombia is again one of the best teams in the world. Top five, just like Chile, and they are ready and willing to prove they are back with a Copa America trophy.
This will be one of the best game you will see all year. The Copa America Centenario has, at its best, featured some of the most thrilling attacking soccer I have ever seen. Attacking, flair, and creativity are simply a greater part of South American football culture than anywhere else in the world. When Chile and Colombia clash, we won’t just get a game, we will get a passionate thrill ride the likes of which you can’t take your eyes off of.
Alexis Sanchez will drive his team forward, he will practically have them strapped to his back as he bounces off defenders, as he dribbles around defenders, and as he pulls off what I can only describe as gunslinger passes. He’s a maverick of the highest quality, and the rest of his team can back him up expertly.
James Rodriguez is simply one of the best strikers of the ball you will ever see. He can hit it how he wants and put it where he wants. Every time he touches the ball an experienced eye will notice this, and for those less experienced James represents an ideal that should be studied. James is as passionate for Colombia as any player is for any team in the world, and he showcases his class for his country in ways that few other players can dream of.
If you really are a fan of the game, you better tune in tonight. IT won’t just be a game, it will be a spectacle.
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