The first matches of the Copa America 2021 are coming to an end, with lots of fantastic goals and games that we can enjoy. Covid-19 has seriously affected the Copa America and forced Conmebol to move the tournament from Colombia and Argentina to Brazil while teams handle internal outbursts.
Venezuela is the most affected nation and registers 11 positive cases days before their opening match against Brazil. Despite the complications, the tournament has gone and given the spectators some fantastic moments. 16 Major League Soccer players were originally called up to the tournament.
Here’s all you need to know about their involvement in the Copa America so far …
DC United Player Junior Moreno vs. Neymar vs. Venezuela vs. Brazil / NELSON ALMEIDA / Getty Images
Josef Martinez (Atlanta United): The Atlanta United superstar missed the opening match against Brazil due to Covid-19. Although he had been vaccinated, Martinez was among the eleven players who tested positive for the virus days before the first game.
Ronald Hernandez (Atlanta United): Atlanta’s young defenders appeared in the last minute during Venezuela’s 3-0 defeat against Brazil. He failed to influence because the fate of his side had already been decided.
Junior Moreno (DC United): The DC United midfielder fought against Brazil for 90 minutes. Although he was not directly responsible for the goals, Moreno simply could not stop Brazil’s crime.
Jhonder Cadiz (Nashville SC): Like Martinez, Jhonder missed the opening match against Brazil after testing positive for Covid-19 days earlier.
Cristian Casseres Jr. (New York Red Bulls): Casseres made his Copa America debut on Sunday, playing 84 minutes against Brazil. Although he could not find the net, the New York Red Bulls player gave a losing offensive effort for Venezuela.
Jose Martinez (Philadelphia Union): The Philadelphia Union midfielder played the entire match against Brazil, without making any real impact for 90 minutes.
Sebastian Mendez for Ecuador during the Copa America 2019 / DOUGLAS MAGNO / Getty Images
Diego Palacios (Los Angeles FC): LAFC’s left back did not play for Ecuador against Colombia.
Sebastian Mendez (Orlando City SC): Sebas Mendez played a full 90 minutes against Colombia but simply could not find a way to make a positive impact on the game. He dropped too many balls through midfield, which facilitated Colombia’s goal chances.
Xavier Arreaga (Seattle Sounders): The defender did not participate in Ecuador against Colombia.
Paraguay vs. Bolivia during Group A match in Copa America / Andressa Anholete / Getty Images
Gaston Gimenez (Chicago Fire FC): Although he was named in the overall list, Gimenez did not participate in the line-up for Paraguay against Bolivia.
Uruguay during the 2019 quarterfinals against Peru / Felipe Oliveira / Getty Images
Brian Rodriguez (Los Angeles FC): Rodriguez hopes to make his Copa America debut on Friday when Uruguay face Argentina.
Peru vs. Uruguay during Copa America Quarterfinal 2019 / Wagner Meier / Getty Images
Alexander Callens (New York City FC): The NYCFC player hopes to make his Copa America debut on Thursday when Peru meets host nation Brazil.
Pedro Gallese (Orlando City SC): Peru has not yet played in the Copa America so far and starts on Thursday. The Orlando goalkeeper hopes to play against Brazil.
Marcos Lopez (San Jose Earthquakes): The defender hopes to play against Brazil in the country’s first Copa America match.
Colombia vs. Ecuador during Group B match in Copa America / Miguel Schincariol / Getty Images
Yimmi Chara (Portland Timbers): Although he participated in the overall list, Yimmi Chara did not line up for the match against Ecuador.
Argentina vs. Chile in Group A match during Copa America Brazil 2021 / Buda Mendes / Getty Images
Felipe Mora (Portland Timbers): Mora watched from the sidelines as Chile made it 1-1 with Argentina. Although named in the lineup, the MLS player was never embedded.
