USA qualify for Copa America semis as organisers vex over Mexican songsters
By Paul Nicholson
June 17 – The USA became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the Copa America Centenario with a 2-1 win over Ecuador in Seattle.
Tournaments
CONCACAF play catch-up with boost to Champions League prize fund
June 16 – CONCACAF have boosted their prize money fund for their top tier Champions League club competition to $1.2 million for the 2016/17 season. They have also committed to supporting club travel costs in the early tournament stages.
Argentina put on the style as Copa America heads into quarter final stage
June 15 – While the Euro 16 Championship in France go into their second round of group matches tonight, the Copa America Centenario in the US closed out group play with an emphatic 3-0 win for Argentina over Boliva.
Copa America Centenario: USA and Mexico challenge Southern neighbours
By Paul Nicholson
June 14 – USA, Mexico, Peru and Argentina head the qualifiers for the next round of the Copa America Centenario tournament in the US, while dramatically, Brazil have crashed out after a controversial refereeing decision ruined their week.
Copa America Centenario catches fire as US hammer Costa Rica
By Paul Nicholson
June 8 – The Copa America Centenario sparked into life last night at Chicago’s Soldier Field with hosts USA thrashing Costa Rica 4-0 in the first of the second round of group games.
Uruguayans sing off wrong hymn sheet as Mexico take a bite out of their pride
By Samindra Kunti
June 8 – Not everything is rosy in the corruption-free garden of the US-hosted centenary edition of the Copa America. President of the Uruguayan FA Wilmar Valdez has claimed it was a mistake for the USA to host the tournament.
Copa Centenario completes one journey and kicks off another. USA vs Colombia
By Paul Nicholson
June 3 – The much-anticipated and often troublesome Copa America Centenario kicks off Saturday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, with the US hosts facing Colombia. The opening match has the potential to spark what could be a celebration of sparkling football which will be in stark contrast (and a relief from) the dark areas of football corruption that this tournament has brought into the light.
Argentina threat to pull out of Copa America Centenario is withdrawn
By Samindra Kunti
June 1 – Argentina will be playing in the Copa Centenario this month after the federation withdrew a threat that it will pull its team out in protest against government intervention in the running of the country’s football association. Argentina FA (AFA) president Luis Segura, speaking in Buenos Aires, said that the team would remain in its California training base and would not be flying home.
CONCACAF launches Champions League season with Miami draw
May 24 – With one Champions League closing this weekend in Europe with the final between Real and Atletico Madrid in Milan, another one opens on Monday in the Americas with the draw for the 2016/17 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League in Miami.
Costa Rica add CONCACAF U-20 finals hosting to next month’s Futsal
April 25 – Costa Rica has stepped up to more hosting duties in the CONCACAF region picking up the 2017 Under-20 Championship which acts as the qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, to be played in South Korea in 2017.
The show must go on: Costa Rica steps up to host regional Futsal finals
By Paul Nicholson
February 3 – FIFA may have suspended their funding but CONCACAF are getting used to operating on reduced cashflow. The US Justice Department partially froze funds back in May 2015 when they arrested then president Jeffrey Webb and Costa Rican president Ricardo Li, and followed that up with a raid the confederation’s Miami headquarters.
Copa America Centenario to play final at MetLife Stadium
December 16 – Organisers of the 2016 Copa America Centenario have announced that the final will be played at the 82,000 capacity MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
US agencies win rights to US Copa America Centenario 2016
By Paul Nicholson
December 2 – The commercial rights for the Copa America Centenario 2016 which sparked the US Department of Justice’s deep dive into the murky world of football marketing on its continent, have been re-awarded.
US puts its game face on as venues chosen for Copa America Centenario
By Paul Nicholson
November 20 – Organisers of the Copa America Centenario to be played in the US next year have selected 10 metropolitan areas across the country to host matches.
Copa América organisers issue RFP to marketing agencies
By Paul Nicholson
October 27 – CONCACAF and CONMEBOL have moved swiftly to source new marketing partners for the Copa América Centenario 2016 following the announcement that agreement had been reached last week with the US federation to host in the US.