Copa America: USA, Mexico Lose Crucial Matches and in Danger of Elimination

Things are not looking good for the top two North American teams in the Copa America tournament, as Mexico and hosts Team USA both lost crucial matches. Venezuela defeated Mexico in a 1-0 match, while a late goal led to Panama scoring a massive 2-1 upset on the USMNT.

South American teams usually dominate the Copa America, the biggest soccer tournament in the Americas. This year, however, with much hype, the North American teams of the USA, Mexico, and Canada were expected to give a big push and show that they could compete with their neighbors to the south. These recent losses now throw that possibility into question.

As expected, Team USA was aggressive from the start, scoring early during the 22nd minute thanks to a goal from Folarin Balogun. However, just before the end of the first 45 minutes of play, Panama managed to even things out. In the second half, the Americans still tried to play aggressively but failed to convert any goal at all.

It was getting late and it seemed like the match would end in a 1-1 draw until the 83rd minute when Panama managed to score that game-winning goal. USA desperately tried to even things but it was too late as the referees blew the whistle and handed Panama the upset victory.

It will be a difficult road ahead for the USMNT as they will face fellow favorites Uruguay for their next game, while Panama is set to face low-ranking Bolivia. This means that Team USA is in a must-win situation against former World Cup champion Uruguay in order to make it to the next round, and they must do so short-handedly, as Tim Weah was given a red card for the loss against Panama.

Venezuela Upsets Favorites Mexico in Copa America

Team USA is not the only North American team in danger of elimination after suffering a massive upset loss, as its eternal rival, "El Tri" of Mexico, also suffered a humiliating loss in front of a heavily pro-Mexican crowd in Los Angeles, known for its massive Mexican population.

It was a 1-0 win for the 44th-ranked Venezuela against the 15th-ranked Mexico, and it all stemmed from a mistake from Mexico's Julián Quiñones, whose challenge inside the box on Venezuela's Jon Aramburu led to a penalty kick for the Venezuelans. Salomon Rondon scored the penalty goal, leading to the upset.

El Tri is in a must-win situation, much like its eternal rivals, Team USA. They will face Ecuador next and must win to secure their entry to the next round.

Mexico Paid for Dig Against Venezuela by Mexican Newspaper

Before that match took place at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, however, Mexican media had been throwing shade and talking against El Tri's next opponents, the Venezuelans.

According to The Mirror, the front page of a Mexican newspaper featured the phrase "Venezuela, I am your father" on the day that the match took place. The Venezuelans took that dig to heart as their team defeated the Mexicans 1-0.

"Mexico are a great team, who play well," said Venezuela goalkeeper Rafael Romo. "We have the humility to recognize our opponents. We don't have that arrogance, that ignorance that a lot of Mexican journalists have, who underestimated us. We came here to do our jobs, and we got three points which are very valuable for us."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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