Copa America semifinal delayed by Chicago storms

Everything about Lionel Messi’s free kick goal in Argentina’s 4-0 drubbing of the U.S.in the Copa America semifinals felt inevitable.

Lionel Messi scored his 55th worldwide goal to become his country’s all-time leading scorer as Argentina thrashed hosts the United States 4-0 to ease into the final of the Centenary Copa America on Tuesday.

Messi and Mascherano, along with the rest of the Argentinian National Squad, will have their second consecutive opportunity of being Copa America champions this year.

There certainly were plenty of things the United States wishes it had done better or differently in Tuesday’s Copa America semifinal against Argentina.

Argentina lost to Chile on penalties in the final past year and Messi said the squad were better prepared this time around.

Guzan has started in nine straight games, but USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann said Friday that Howard will be in goal against Colombia “because he has been outstanding to help the team go all the way through in this tournament, helping Brad Guzan wherever he could, keeping the spirit very positive and pushing from behind”.

“We’ve grown a lot as a team, as a group, and become more united this past year”.

The Barcelona forward failed in two consecutive major worldwide cup finals in as many years, after also losing to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil, and also conceded the 2007 Copa America title to arch-rivals Brazil.

If the US team were to win, it would be its best Copa America performance.

He trails Eduardo Vargas, whose four-goal haul in the 7-0 drubbing of Mexico helped him to six for the tournament.

They will need all their best players on top form on Sunday if they are to deny Messi a first piece of major worldwide silverware.

Sunday’s final will be the second time Argentina and Chile have met in the tournament.

While the focus of the final will inevitably be on Messi, it is unfair to say he is the be-all and end-all of this Argentina side. Chile is without starting midfielders Arturo Vidal (suspension) and Marcelo Diaz (injury), which could play into Colombia’s favor, as it boasts an in-form James Rodriguez in the center of the field. “The players will be more confident to take them on”.

But they will not have their home fans behind them this time and there is one other detail. But Guzan, who started in last year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, also earned the job for this year’s Copa America. The United States imploded three minutes into their match against Argentina, losing 4-0 in a match that saw outplayed and outclassed in every way.