Copa America preview: Chile vs. Bolivia and Argentina vs. Panama on Friday
GROUP D: CHILE vs. BOLIVIA
Where: Foxborough, Mass. Time: 4 p.m. PDT. TV: Channel 11, UniMas, UDN.
The buzz: Both teams are coming off 2-1 losses and need at least a draw here to have any chance of advancing. Chile played well against Argentina in its group-play opener, but defensive errors early in the second half led to two goals, dropping the team to 1-4 under new Coach Juan Antonio Pizzi. Bolivia, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, also comes in this game riding a bit of momentum after giving Panama all it could handle in rainy Orlando only to allow the deciding goal with three minutes left in regulation.
GROUP D: ARGENTINA vs. PANAMA
Where: Chicago. Time: 6:30 p.m. PDT. TV: Channel 11, UniMas, UDN.
The buzz: The big question coming into this game centers on Lionel Messi’s health. The five-time world player of the year missed Argentina’s opener with Chile with a bruised back, but Coach Gerardo Martino said he expects Messi to be available against Panama in what would be his first competitive game on U.S. soil. Panama needed two goals from Blas Perez to squeak past Bolivia, the 82nd-best team in the world according to the latest FIFA rankings. On Friday, Panama gets Argentina, which is ranked No. 1.
