Uruguay vs Jamaica: Copa America 2015, Schedule, Predictions, Rosters, Stream & Preview
The 2015 Copa America is underway in Chile. A total of 12 national teams are presently competing to be named the best in three groups. On Saturday afternoon, Uruguay and Jamaica will play each other in a Group B game.
Let's break down this matchup and pick a winner.
Uruguay (8)
This is Uruguay's tournament. Uruguay is the most successful Copa America team of all-time having won this competition a record 15 times including 2011. They are the defending champions having defeated Paraguay last time around. Uruguay ranks No. 8 in the world, but not all is well.
One of Uruguay's most talented players, Luis Suarez, will not be playing. Suarez is serving his international suspension because of a biting incident dating back to the 2014 FIFA World Cup against Italy. This is a terrible blow for Uruguay because Suarez had an outstanding year with Barcelona in the Spanish Premier League alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar.
Without Suarez, Edinson Cavani will have to lead this offense. Cavani recently apologized for referring to Jamaica as an "African team." Fernando Muslera will get the start in net. Uruguay has an outstanding defense led by Maxi Pereira, Alvaro Pereira, Jorge Fucile and team captain Diego Godin of Atletico Madrid.
Head coach Oscar Tabárez will have to implement creative tactics for Uruguay to score goals throughout this tournament.
Uruguay's next game is against Argentina on Tuesday, June 16
Jamaica (65)
Just like Mexico, Jamaica will be competing in this Copa America as a CONCACAF confederation squad. And again like Mexico, Jamaica will be playing in the upcoming Gold Cup in July. Jamaica isn't expected to do very much in this tournament given the fact that they are resting a lot of their players, but they're still here to play.
This is Jamaica's first appearance at the Copa America.
Jamaica enters this tournament as the No. 65 ranked team in the world. Most likely Argentina will win Group B, but they also have to find a way to get past Uruguay and Paraguay in the process. Duwayne Kerr should get the start in goal while Jermaine Taylor leads the defense. Team captain Rodolph Austin commands the middle field alongside Je-Vaughn Watson, but Jamaica doesn't have a very strong offense. Notable players such as Demar Phillips and Dane Richards are not expected to play.
Jamaica's next game is against Paraguay on Tuesday, June 16
Schedule, Where to Watch
Uruguay and Jamaica will play each other on Saturday, June 13 at 3 p.m. EST at the Estadio Regional de Antofagasta in Antofagasta, Chile. The game will be shown on beIN Sports. You can watch a live game stream here.
Prediction
Suarez may not be out there, but Uruguay is still the superior team. As the defending champions, they want to send a message in their opening game with their elite defense. Uruguay should easily take of business.
Uruguay wins 3-1
Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter