Colombia star James Rodriguez will be forced to sit out his team's next Copa America Group A game with a shoulder injury.

Rodriguez suffered the injury after taking an awkward fall during his team's recent shutout win over the Team U.S. in Santa Clara. Colombia next takes on Paraguay Tuesday, June 7, at the famed Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Rodriguez Joins Messi, Suarez on Sidelines

Rodriguez thus joins fellow stars Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in being forced to the sidelines for the centenary tournament by lingering injuries. He could rejoin his team by Saturday's match against Costa Rica in Houston.

Rodriguez is expected to be replaced in the lineup by Edwin Cardona, who starred alongside him in the team's 2-0 win over the U.S., during which Rodriguez bagged the team's second goal before leaving with his injury.

"If I get chosen to play in that position I will do so for the benefit of my team," said Cardona. "Of course we have different characteristics, with James we have more ball possession."

Colombia Leads Group A Play

Colombia leads Group A play with three points, two ahead of Paraguay and Costa Rica. Team U.S., which faces Costa Rica next, has no points.

Meanwhile, some are speculating James' current medical woes may be a recurrence of a previous condition.

"I don't want anything to happen to James," said legendary star Hernan Dario Gomez. "He is the leader of the group. But this shoulder problem is not a new thing. I hope he gets better. He is a key player for winning trophies."

Cardona later added he and his teammates realize it's all their responsibility to try to fill the void left by James' absence.

"We know the quality he has and what he means to us and for the national team," he said. "It makes our great game easier when you are next to him for the quality he has."

Related