By Mario Casamalhuapa
For the News-Gazette
The highly anticipated Copa America is set to return to the United States in 2024, bringing with it a vibrant display of soccer excellence and passionate fanfare of the top national clubs of the Western Hemisphere.
This prestigious tournament, founded in 1906, features 16 top national teams from South America, as well as invited teams from other regions.
Orlando is among the American cities that will host tournament matches, where fans can expect to see thrilling matches featuring soccer powerhouses like Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, alongside emerging talents from nations such as Colombia, Chile, and Peru. Argentina and Uruguay have each won the tournament 15 times, while Brazil has claimed the title nine times. The inclusion of invited teams like host United States, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Canada, and Costa Rica will further elevate the level of play.
A number of the teams will be training in Kissimmee and at ESPN Wide World of Sports, and Orlando’s Inter&Co Stadium is set to welcome fans from across Central and South America on June 29 with a clash between Canada and Chile at 8 p.m., then on July 1 for Bolivia and Panama at 9 p.m.
The tournament will culminate in a grand finale at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on July 14.
The Orlando area is already proving a to be a national soccer epicenter. Excitement filled the air last week at Camping World Stadium as Brazil and the USA national teams faced off in a thrilling friendly in front of 60,016 fans, who saw the U.S. make a strong comeback to tie 1-1 against a star-studded Brazilian team.
That game was bookended by Orlando City Lions matches against the top talent of Major League Soccer, including an anticipated matchup with the second-place team from the Western Conference, Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC).
On paper, Orlando City was expected to struggle against the formidable LAFC, and unfortunately, this proved to be the case. In the 31st minute, Orlando’s Facundo Torres was fouled in the penalty box, but his penalty shot attempt sailed over the crossbar, missing a crucial chance to put Orlando ahead. Twelve minutes LAFC star Denis Bouanga was fouled by César Araújo, be he converted his penalty.
Orlando City came out strong, and tied it up in the 68th minute when Martín Ojeda scored immediately after coming off the bench off a clever chip pass from Luis Muriel. The Lions looked determined to maintain control and at least secure a draw, but in the 80th minute, Mateusz Bogusz dribbled past a weary Orlando defense and scored, putting LAFC back in the lead, and Bouanga, scored his second goal of the match against the pressing Orlando squad.
The Lions will play a midweek game at Charlotte on Wednesday, then return to Inter&Co to host the Chicago Fire on Saturday. Orlando has 17 games left in the season to climb up the standings.
