Copa America preview: Peru vs. Colombia on Friday
COPA AMERICA QUARTERFINALS
PERU VS. COLOMBIA
Where: East Rutherford, N.J. Time: 5 p.m. PDT. TV: FS1, UniMas, UDN.
The buzz: Colombia held 10 of its regulars out of the starting lineup in its group-play final and paid for it with a 3-2 loss to Costa Rica. But maybe that wasn’t such a bad result since it dropped Colombia into the bottom half of the bracket, ensuring it won’t face top-ranked Argentina before the final. When it has played its regulars, Colombia has shown why it’s ranked third in the world with James Rodriguez scoring in each of the two games he has started and regular keeper David Ospina allowing just one score – that coming on an incredible shot from Paraguay’s Victor Ayala. Unbeaten Peru, meanwhile, is one of the surprise teams of the tournament, winning its group by eliminating Brazil on a disputed goal – and eliminating Brazil Coach Dunga from his job. Yet Peru hasn’t impressed, slipping past Haiti 1-0 on a late goal – Haiti was outscored 11-1 in its other two games – then giving up a 2-0 lead in a draw with Ecuador before upsetting Brazil.
-- KEVIN BAXTER
