In part two of Daniel Campos’ Copa America Centenario – who’s missing? series, the playing squads of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico and Panama are brought into focus.
COLOMBIA
Coach José Nestor Pekerman has opted to exclude midfielder Alexander Mejía from Atlético Nacional after playing his part in last year’s campaign in Chile. Fellow midfielder Fredy Guarín misses the boat, which suggests his move to the Chinese Super League is unfavourable to national team selectors.
And up front, Teófilo Gutiérrez is now no longer in the national team setup after a long-list of off-field incidents, while Jackson Martínez, like Guarin, has also been given the cold shoulder after his move to the China.
Without a doubt the biggest global name who will be absent is Radamel Falcao, who is still out of favour by Pekerman since recovering from his lengthy injury lay-off.
The question remains how well Colombia can fare in this tournament. A strong squad suggests quite well, and with the excitement of opening the tournament against the tournament hosts, it is a huge chance to make a statement to the rest of the competition.
Read more
Copa America Centenario – who’s missing? (Part one – Argentina to Chile)
Copa America Centenario – who’s missing? (Part three – Paraguay to Venezuela)
COSTA RICA
Forward Ariel Rodríguez who plies his trade with Thailand’s Bangkok Glass has confirmed that will he miss the tournament after suffering a muscle tear.
Los Ticos look solid and tight-knit in their 2-1 win against Venezuela, similarly so to the side that shocked the world in the Brazil 2014 World Cup.
The big news however today is Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas has been ruled out of the tournament due to an ongoing foot injury. Navas played through pain in much of the last month as his club lifted the European Cup.
Head coach Oscar Ramírez will be looking to add consistency in a after a turbulent but successful two years for Costa Rica. In the 2014 World Cup, Under then-manager Jorge Luis Pinto, Los Ticos made it to the quarter-final stage which was followed by national controversy and Pinto’s departure.
This result was matched by new manager and former player, Paolo Wanchope in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Now under another legendary Costa Rican international during his playing days, Ramírez got off to a fast start, with Costa Rica defeating the U.S. in a friendly, then going unbeaten through the first four World Cup qualifiers.
ECUADOR
No doubt one of the surprises so far in World Cup qualifying for Russia 2018. Ecuador has shown promise and a very solid run especially making their home presence count in the heights of the high altitude of capital city Quito.
And height will definitely be a key missing factor with talisman Felipe Caicedo missing out with a month-long injury to his right femur.
HAITI
No doubt the minnows of the tournament, there are no surprises in the 23-man squad. Haiti will gain a lot from competing in this year’s edition after winning a play-off to qualify for the tournament.
Six players play club football in the USA, with one in the MLS so they will feel right at home for the tournament as French manager Patrice Neveu selected a rather unsurprising squad that only boasts one player from Ligue Haïtienne.
JAMAICA
Commanded by Premier League winning captain Wes Morgan of Leicester City, the Reggae Boys will be without Demar Phillips, who has been capped 72 times.
German boss Wilfred Schaefer gave no room for Deshorn Brown or Portland Timbers duo Alvas Powell and Darren Mattocks who have been performing consistently in the MLS.
Romeo Parkes was also omitted from the national side after receiving a year-long suspension after assaulting a player in the USL (the US second division).
Jamaica impressed in last weekend’s friendly against Chile winning 2-1 and in last year’s edition did their best to fluster heavyweights Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, managing narrow losses.
MEXICO
Juan Carlos Osorio is the coach these days so no more on-field antics by predecessor Miguel Herrera and El Tri who will be one of the favourites to lift the trophy in front of thousands of fanatical fans living in the United States, albeit without some star names.
Playmaker Giovanni Dos Santos and brother Jonathan will be absent. Real Sociedad forward Carlos Vela also missed out and was only last week touring Mexico with his Basque club side in the LFP World Tour.
Another name hit global headlines off-field with the fortunate rescue in the kidnapping of forward Alan Pulido who plays for Greek champions Olympiacos. Pulido, despite his horrendous 24-hour ordeal has been found safe and has been left out of Osorio’s squad for a well-deserved break.
PANAMA
The Central Americans boast the high credibility of Colombian coach Luis Hernán Gómez. Widely experienced “El Bolillo” picked his squad in May and did not include replacements Josiel Núñez and Christian Martínez.
Read more
Copa America Centenario – who’s missing? (Part one – Argentina to Chile)
Copa America Centenario – who’s missing? (Part three – Paraguay to Venezuela)
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