The United States national soccer team scored first, but Argentina proved to be too much in the end and won the opening match of Copa America 4 to 1. Team USA have put all their energy into successfully defending the CONCACAF Gold Cup and their patched-up squad was badly exposed in the second half against the might of Argentina.
Sportsbook.com had Argentina listed at 7 to 4 odds and the favorite along with Brazil to win Copa America 2007. Point-Spreads.com expects those odds to be adjusted now that Brazil has tasted defeat at the hands of Mexico. Argentina's squad looks poised to take the title.
Argentine Striker Hernan Crespo equalled Diego Maradona's 34 goals for "la albiceleste." The achievement was made special by the presence of Maradona at the game. Retired stiker Gabriel Batistuta is Argentina's all-time top scorer, with 56 goals.
"It's an immense honor for me to equal the achievement of Diego," Crespo said.
It may appear strange that the USA team should prioritise winning what is essentially a much weaker tournament (Copa America 2007), but their head coach Bob Bradley will have been heavily influenced by the knowledge that their Gold Cup victory has booked them a berth in next year's Confederations Cup.
A 2-1 win over Mexico in the Gold Cup final was completed on Sunday, but it was impossible to persuade Major League Soccer clubs to release all of their star players for back-to-back events and just nine of the USA's triumphant squad have made the journey to South America.
There are several key absentees including Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley and Carlos Mastroeni. Consequently, Bradley has admitted that he his using the event to give experience to some of his fringe players. However, not all experiences are beneficial and last night’s test against the Argentines merely served to remind some of the USA chorus line how far they have to go in order to forge at career at the pinnacle of the game.
In contrast, Argentina coach Alfredo Basile has assembled an awesome squad which has strength in all areas.
They are particularly frightening up front thanks to the availability of Carlos Tevez, Lionel Messi, Diego Milito and Rodrigo Palacio (the star forward of recent Copa Libertadores winners Boca Juniors).
Sportsbook.com has posted soccer betting odds on Copa America 2007:
Argentina: 7/4
Brazil: 7/4
Uruguay: 10/1
Mexico: 8/1
Venezuela: 16/1
Colombia: 16/1
Chile: 20/1
Paraguay: 20/1
USA: 25/1
Ecuador: 40/1
Peru: 50/1
Bolivia: 150/1
