Group A of the Copa América Centenario consisted of hosts United States, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Paraguay. Matches began on June 3 and ended on June 11, 2016. All times are EDT (UTC−4).
The United States and Colombia advanced to the quarter-finals.
Teams Draw position Team Confederation Method ofqualification Finalsappearance Lastappearance Previous bestperformanceFIFA Rankings December 2015 June 2016 A1 (seed) CONCACAF Hosts 2007 (1995) 32 31 A2 CONMEBOL Automatic qualifier 2015 (2001) 8 3 A3 CONCACAF 2014 Copa Centroamericana champions 2011 (2001 and 2004) 37 23 A4 CONMEBOL Automatic qualifier 2015 (1953 and 1979) 46 44
Notes
Standings
In the quarter-finals: The winner of Group A, United States, advanced to play the runner-up of Group B, Ecuador. The runner-up of Group A, Colombia, advanced to play the winner of Group B, Peru.
Matches
United States vs Colombia The two teams had met in seventeen previous encounters, the last being a friendly held in 2014 at Craven Cottage in London, a match won by Colombia 2–1. Both teams had also met in two Copa América editions: the 1995 third-place match, won by Colombia 4–1, and in a group stage match in 2007, also won by Colombia, with a lone goal by Jaime Castrillón.
Colombia won the match 0–2 with first-half goals scored by Cristián Zapata and James Rodríguez. United States' manager Jürgen Klinsmann stated that he was "pleased" with the performance of his team, he also saw the penalty as the "major point of the game", a remark to which American player Clint Dempsey agreed. Colombia's manager José Pekerman recognized the competitiveness of their rivals, but commented that "we could have scored a couple more."
GK 1 Brad GuzanRB 2 DeAndre YedlinCB 20Geoff CameronCB 6 John BrooksLB 23Fabian JohnsonCM 11Alejandro Bedoya CM 4 Michael Bradley (c)CM 13Jermaine Jones RF 9 Gyasi ZardesCF 8 Clint DempseyLF 7 Bobby Wood Substitutions:FW 17Christian Pulisic MF 10Darlington Nagbe MF 19Graham Zusi Manager: Jürgen Klinsmann GK 1 David OspinaRB 4 Santiago AriasCB 2 Cristián ZapataCB 22Jeison MurilloLB 19Farid DíazCM 13Sebastián Pérez CM 16Dani TorresRM 11Juan CuadradoAM 10James Rodríguez (c) LM 8 Edwin CardonaCF 7 Carlos Bacca Substitutions:MF 5 Guillermo Celis MF 6 Carlos Sánchez FW 17Dayro Moreno Manager: José Pékerman
Man of the Match: Cristián Zapata (Colombia)
Assistant referees: José Luis Camargo (Mexico) Alberto Morín (Mexico) Fourth official: Wilton Sampaio (Brazil) Fifth official: Kléber Lúcio Gil (Brazil)
Costa Rica vs Paraguay The two teams had met in eight previous occasions, the last being a friendly in the Costa Rican national stadium in March 2015, resulting in a scoreless draw. In Copa América, both teams faced once, in a 2004 group stage match, won by Paraguay with a late penalty kick goal scored by Julio dos Santos.
Just as their previous friendly meeting, the game ended in a scoreless draw. Costa Rican manager Óscar Ramírez commented that it was "a two-faced match" and that "I would say we have lost two points". Paraguay's manager Ramón Díaz also though that his team lost two points; he was also critical of the hour chosen for the game, commenting that "I would like to take the actual protagonists, the players, in consideration".
Costa Rican player Kendall Waston was shown the red card in the stoppage time after a tackle against Nelson Valdez, becoming the first player to be sent-off in the tournament. Regarding the incident, Waston commented, "when I saw the red card I felt the world coming over me, because this tournament is very short and we all want to play".
GK 18Patrick PembertonCB 19Kendall Waston CB 2 Jhonny AcostaCB 6 Óscar DuarteRWB16Cristian GamboaLWB22Rónald Matarrita CM 5 Celso BorgesCM 17Yeltsin Tejeda AM 10Bryan Ruiz (c) AM 12Joel Campbell CF 21Marco UreñaSubstitutions:MF 14Randall Azofeifa MF 11Johan Venegas MF 7 Christian Bolaños Manager:Óscar Ramírez GK 1 Justo Villar (c)RB 5 Bruno ValdezCB 3 Gustavo GómezCB 14Paulo da SilvaLB 6 Miguel SamudioRM 10Derlis González CM 16Celso OrtizCM 23Robert Piris Da MottaLM 21Óscar Romero CF 7 Jorge Benítez CF 19Dario LezcanoSubstitutions:FW 11Édgar Benítez FW 18Nelson Valdez FW 15Juan Iturbe Manager: Ramón Díaz
Man of the Match: Gustavo Gómez (Paraguay)
Assistant referees: Ezequiel Brailovsky (Argentina) Ariel Scime (Argentina) Fourth official: Yadel Martínez (Cuba) Fifth official: Gustavo Rossi (Argentina)
United States vs Costa Rica The two teams had met in thirty-three previous occasions, the last being a friendly held at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, won by the Costa Rican side with a lone goal by Joel Campbell. This marked the first time both teams faced each other in a competitive match outside of CONCACAF official competitions. Before the match, the President of the United States Soccer Federarion (USSF) Sunil Gulati was interviewed on the status of U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann, saying, "Results are what matter. Everyone understands that. Results of the last 18 months, overall, haven't been what we would have hoped for. Especially in the official competitions." Many pundits took this to mean that Klinsmann's job was in jeopardy.
The United States got off to a flying start, with Bobby Wood drawing a penalty in the 9th minute that was converted by Clint Dempsey. Two other first half goals were scored by Wood and Jermaine Jones, and the scoring was finished by Graham Zusi late in the 2nd half. Zusi's goal would prove crucial in the long run, with the United States going on to win the group on goal difference.
GK 1 Brad GuzanRB 2 DeAndre YedlinCB 20Geoff CameronCB 6 John Brooks LB 23Fabian Johnson CM 11Alejandro Bedoya CM 4 Michael Bradley (c)CM 13Jermaine JonesRF 9 Gyasi ZardesCF 8 Clint Dempsey LF 7 Bobby Wood Substitutions:MF 19Graham Zusi FW 18Chris Wondolowski MF 15Kyle Beckerman Manager: Jürgen Klinsmann GK 18Patrick PembertonCB 6 Óscar DuarteCB 2 Jhonny AcostaCB 3 Francisco CalvoRWB16Cristian Gamboa LWB22Rónald MatarritaDM 5 Celso BorgesRM 7 Christian BolañosLM 12Joel Campbell AM 10Bryan Ruiz (c)CF 21Marco Ureña Substitutions:FW 9 Álvaro Saborío DF 15José Salvatierra MF 14Randall Azofeifa Manager:Óscar Ramírez
Man of the Match: Jermaine Jones (United States)
Assistant referees: Byron Romero (Ecuador) Luis Vera (Ecuador) Fourth official: John Pitti (Panama) Fifth official: Gabriel Victoria (Panama)
Colombia vs Paraguay The two teams had met in forty-two previous occasions, the last being a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match held in Asunción, which the Colombian side won 2–1. In Copa América editions, they had not faced each other since a 2007 Copa América group stage match, won by Paraguay 5–0.
GK 1 David OspinaRB 4 Santiago AriasCB 2 Cristián Zapata CB 22Jeison Murillo LB 19Farid DíazCM 13Sebastián Pérez CM 16Dani TorresRM 11Juan Cuadrado AM 10James Rodríguez (c)LM 8 Edwin CardonaCF 7 Carlos BaccaSubstitutions:MF 5 Guillermo Celis FW 21Marlos Moreno DF 3 Yerry Mina Manager: José Pékerman GK 1 Justo Villar (c)RB 5 Bruno ValdezCB 3 Gustavo GómezCB 14Paulo da SilvaLB 6 Miguel SamudioRM 21Óscar Romero CM 23Robert Piris Da Motta CM 16Celso OrtizLM 17Miguel AlmirónCF 11Édgar Benítez CF 19Dario Lezcano Substitutions:DF 20Víctor Ayala FW 7 Jorge Benítez FW 9 Antonio Sanabria Manager: Ramón Díaz
Man of the Match: James Rodríguez (Colombia)
Assistant referees: Kléber Lúcio Gil (Brazil) Bruno Boschilia (Brazil) Fourth official: Julio Bascuñán (Chile) Fifth official: Christian Schiemann (Chile)
United States vs Paraguay The two teams had met in six previous occasions, the last being a friendly held at LP Field in 2011, won by Paraguay with a lone goal by Óscar Cardozo. In Copa América, they have faced once, a Paraguayan 3–1 victory in a 2007 group stage match. U.S. scored first, once again from Clint Dempsey on a cross from Gyasi Zardes. It would be the only goal of the game, but U.S. would not win without difficulty.
Early in the second half, DeAndre Yedlin was sent off following two yellow cards in quick succession, giving Paraguay a man advantage for almost 40 minutes. However, the United States defense held firm, mostly due to the efforts of John Brooks and Geoff Cameron. Following a shock victory by Costa Rica over Colombia, the United States ended up winning Group A.
GK 1 Brad GuzanRB 2 DeAndre Yedlin CB 20Geoff CameronCB 6 John BrooksLB 23Fabian JohnsonCM 11Alejandro Bedoya CM 4 Michael Bradley (c) CM 13Jermaine Jones RF 9 Gyasi ZardesCF 8 Clint Dempsey LF 7 Bobby Wood Substitutions:DF 14Michael Orozco MF 19Graham Zusi MF 15Kyle Beckerman Manager: Jürgen Klinsmann GK 1 Justo Villar (c)RB 14Paulo da SilvaCB 3 Gustavo GómezCB 2 Fabián Balbuena LB 6 Miguel SamudioRM 10Derlis GonzálezCM 20Víctor Ayala CM 16Celso Ortiz LM 17Miguel AlmirónCF 9 Antonio Sanabria CF 19Dario LezcanoSubstitutions:FW 15Juan Iturbe MF 8 Juan Rodrigo Rojas FW 7 Jorge Benítez Manager: Ramón Díaz
Man of the Match: John Brooks (United States)
Assistant referees: Carlos Astroza (Chile) Christian Schiemann (Chile) Fourth official: John Pitti (Panama) Fifth official: Gabriel Victoria (Panama)
Colombia vs Costa Rica The two teams had met in eleven previous occasions, the last being a friendly held at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona in Buenos Aires in 2015, won by Colombia with a lone goal by Radamel Falcao. In Copa América, they have faced three times, with Colombia emerging victorious in every single occasion, including the last in 2011, with a goal scored by Adrián Ramos.
GK 12Róbinson ZapataRB 15Stefan MedinaCB 14Felipe Aguilar CB 3 Yerry MinaLB 18Frank FabraCM 5 Guillermo CelisCM 6 Carlos Sánchez (c)CM 13Sebastián Pérez RF 17Dayro Moreno CF 9 Roger Martínez LF 21Marlos MorenoSubstitutions:MF 8 Edwin Cardona MF 10James Rodríguez MF 11Juan Cuadrado Manager: José Pékerman GK 18Patrick Pemberton CB 19Kendall Waston CB 2 Jhonny AcostaCB 3 Francisco CalvoRWB15José Salvatierra LWB22Rónald MatarritaCM 14Randall Azofeifa CM 5 Celso Borges RW 7 Christian BolañosLW 10Bryan Ruiz (c) CF 11Johan VenegasSubstitutions:DF 8 Bryan Oviedo MF 17Yeltsin Tejeda FW 12Joel Campbell Manager:Óscar Ramírez
Man of the Match: Celso Borges (Costa Rica)
Assistant referees: Luis Sánchez (Venezuela) Luis Murillo (Venezuela) Fourth official: Daniel Fedorczuk (Uruguay) Fifth official: Christian Ramírez (Honduras)
References
External links CONCACAF standings