Colombia National Soccer Team
FILE - Megan Rapinoe waves to fans following the team's international friendly soccer match against Colombia, June 28, 2022, in Sandy, Utah. President Joe Biden will present the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to 17 people, at the White House next week. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
Colombia vs USA 6/28/2022

Jul. 03, 2022 03:28 PM EDT

U.S. forward Megan Rapinoe, back, celebrates with midfielder Taylor Kornieck after Kornieck's goal against Colombia during the second half of an international friendly soccer match Saturday, June 25, 2022, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colombia vs USA 6/25/2022

Jul. 03, 2022 03:28 PM EDT

Colombia's coach Reinaldo Rueda looks on prior to a Copa America soccer match against Peru at Olimpico stadium in Goiania, Brazil, Sunday, June 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
Peru vs Colombia 6/20/2021

Jun. 25, 2021 07:06 PM EDT

Brazil's coach Tite stands in the pitch prior to a Copa America soccer match against Colombia at Nilton Santos stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Brazil vs Colombia 6/23/2021

Jun. 24, 2021 05:28 PM EDT

Brazil's coach Tite stands in the pitch prior to a Copa America soccer match against Colombia at Nilton Santos stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Brazil coach is fined for criticizing troubled Copa America

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 24, 2021 05:26 PM EDT

Chile's Pablo Galdames, left, and Argentina's Lionel Messi leave the field after a tie at the end of a Copa America soccer match at the Nilton Santos stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, June 14, 2021. The match enede 1-1.(AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Messi's Argentina draws 1-1 with Chile at Copa America

By Marcelo Sousa Jun. 14, 2021 07:37 PM EDT

Argentina's Lionel Messi gestures during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 against Colombia at the Metropolitano stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, Tuesday, June 8, 2021. Miguel Borja scored an equalizer for Colombia in the last seconds of added time against Argentina in one of the best matches yet in South American qualifying. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Argentina vs Colombia 6/8/2021

Jun. 13, 2021 08:32 PM EDT

An aerial view of the Arena Pantanal stadium which will host Sunday's Copa America soccer match between Colombia and Ecuador, in Cuiaba, Brazil, Saturday, June 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Colombia says 2 members of coaching staff test positive

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 13, 2021 02:09 PM EDT

Brazil's Lucas Paqueta, center, celebrates after scoring his side's 2nd goal against Paraguay during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tuesday, June 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
Firmino out and Paquetá in for Brazil's Copa America opener

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 12, 2021 07:01 PM EDT

Brazil's Neymar, right, celebrates with teammate Richarlison after scoring his side's opening goal against Paraguay during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tuesday, June 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
Neymar, Thiago Silva included in Brazil's Copa America squad

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 09, 2021 03:57 PM EDT

Players of Brazil celebrate their side's opening goal scored by teammate Neymar during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 against Paraguay at Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tuesday, June 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
Brazil squad agrees to play in Copa America despite concerns

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 09, 2021 12:30 AM EDT

Protesters drive their car with a sign reading in Portuguese "Copa No, Vaccines Now" to protest the holding of Copa America in Brasilia, Brazil, Sunday, June 6, 2021. Brazil accepted hosting the South American soccer tournament after the original co-hosts were dropped: Colombia due to political protests and Argentina for rising of COVID-19 cases. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
America FC RN vs UDA AL 6/6/2021

Jun. 08, 2021 07:34 PM EDT

Protesters drive their car with a sign reading in Portuguese "Copa No, Vaccines Now" to protest the holding of Copa America in Brasilia, Brazil, Sunday, June 6, 2021. Brazil accepted hosting the South American soccer tournament after the original co-hosts were dropped: Colombia due to political protests and Argentina for rising of COVID-19 cases. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
Brazil top court to rule on country as Copa America host

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 08, 2021 07:33 PM EDT

Brazil's coach Tite looks on prior a qualifying soccer match against Ecuador for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Beira-Rio stadium in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Friday, June 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Copa America drama eclipses World Cup qualifiers

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 06, 2021 07:25 PM EDT

Brazil's Neymar, right, celebrates with Brazil's Lucas Paqueta after scoring his side's second goal on a penalty kick against Ecuador during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Beira-Rio stadium in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Friday, June 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Brazil wins World Cup qualifier amid drama off the pitch

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 04, 2021 11:15 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, July 10, 2016 file photo, Portugal's Bruno Alves, right, and Nani pose for photos with trophy at the end of the Euro 2016 final soccer match between Portugal and France at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris. When it comes time for Brazilians to choose who to watch on the soccer field this month — Neymar or Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo — the response might be surprising. Because of an unusual set of circumstances, it will be the European Championship that reaches more viewers in Brazil than the Copa America — even though Brazil is expected to host South American the tournament under a completely different set of unusual circumstances.(AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
EURO 2020: Euro 2020 will usurp Copa America in Brazil

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 04, 2021 08:09 AM EDT

Colombia's Matheus Uribe scores his side's second goal against Peru during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at the National stadium in Lima, Peru, Thursday, June 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
Colombia vs Peru 6/3/2021

Jun. 04, 2021 12:42 AM EDT

Argentina's Lionel Messi wears a jersey with the number and image of late soccer star Diego Maradona prior to a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying soccer match against Chile in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, Thursday, June 3, 2021. (Juan Mabromata, Pool via AP)
Argentina draws after 7-month halt of World Cup qualifiers

Debora Rey Jun. 03, 2021 11:43 PM EDT

FILE - This May 13, 2014 file photo shows Maracana stadium behind the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazil will host Copa America for the second consecutive time after Colombia and Argentina were stripped of hosting rights for the tournament, according to the South American soccer body CONMEBOL on Monday, May 31, 2021, hours after it ruled out Argentina amid an increase in COVID-19 cases in the country. Colombia was removed as co-host on May 20 as street protests against President Iván Duque rocked the nation. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File)
Brazil players debate whether or not to play Copa America

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 03, 2021 10:37 PM EDT

FILE - This May 13, 2014 file photo shows Maracana stadium behind the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazil will host Copa America for the second consecutive time after Colombia and Argentina were stripped of hosting rights for the tournament, according to the South American soccer body CONMEBOL on Monday, May 31, 2021, hours after it ruled out Argentina amid an increase in COVID-19 cases in the country. Colombia was removed as co-host on May 20 as street protests against President Iván Duque rocked the nation. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File)
Maracanã to host Copa America final: Brazil-Venezuela open

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 03, 2021 12:26 AM EDT