Messi Back for Argentina But Venezuela Can Spoil the American Dream

The world's best player is likely to start for the first time at this Copa America Centenario, but Vinotinto boss Rafael Dudamel thinks his men can win the competition.

If the U.S. public is already looking forward to a mouth-watering Copa America Centenario clash against Argentina in Houston on Tuesday, they may have a shock in store.

The tournament favorite is likely to have Lionel Messi in the starting lineup in Foxborough on Saturday and is widely expected to confirm a place in the final four.

But between Tata Martino’s men and Jurgen Klinsmann’s host stands Venezuela, a team determined to upset the odds.

The Vinotinto are 77th in the FIFA world rankings but they have played some exciting football at this tournament, and their counterattacking style could be a thorn in Argentine sides.

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Their coach has proven to be one of the most impressive characters at this centennial Copa. On the eve of the clash with Argentina, Rafael Dudamel was in the kind of mood that should tell you everything you need to know about how Venezuela will approach this match.

“Tomorrow we’re going to give history a kicking,” he promised. “At that table where they keep a record of the old results, and when they want to update them again, they’ll have to add the page that tells of our victory.”

It was dramatic stuff from the 43-year-old former goalkeeper, who represented 15 different clubs in a playing career which spanned 21 years.

But he was not done.

“Concentration and determination is a fundamental part of what we need to do to win this game. This is a team with a lot of character and picardia (akin to craftiness in English). This makes us believe that the winner of this match will win the Copa America.”

Strong words, but it is not just hot air. This team put paid to Uruguay’s chances in the group stages, and battled to a 1-1 draw against the impressive Mexicans in their last match.

“In terms of desire, hard work and a giant heart, my players will go out onto the pitch tomorrow with a phenomenal desire to win.”

Argentina has been warned. Dudamel has galvanized a squad that was accused of deliberately trying to lose matches in order to get their former coach sacked. The former goalkeeper only assumed control in March but his impact has been marked and he has a hungry, well drilled team at his disposal.

That spirit has been enough to make up for some deficiencies in the team, including a slow defense, but so far the side has managed to strike early in its matches, sit deep and hit on the break. Undone by Jesus Corona's wonder goal against Mexico, Venezuela will now face Messi and will need all of the characteristics highlighted by Dudamel.

Spurred on by consecutive final defeats in the past two years, Argentina will have no lack of motivation.

Martino named a weakened lineup that was still enough to stroll to a 3-0 victory against Bolivia in the last match, where Messi came off the bench for the final 45 minutes and, in lieu of scoring a goal, set about wowing the crowd with a series of tricks and nut-megs. In all honesty, it felt as if he were showing off, the kind of thing leveled at his great rival, Cristiano Ronaldo.

But the crowd in Seattle, including many thousands of U.S. natives who turned up just to see the world’s best player, lapped it up all the same.

The Messi love affair has been one of the most notable subplots to this Copa, and it will be interesting to see where loyalties lie if those domestic Messi fans see him line up against their own country in Texas next week.

But that dilemma will have to wait until after Saturday’s game at the Gillette Stadium. If Venezuela and Dudamel have anything to do with it, though, there will be no decision to make.

CREDIT:Goal