This article is part of our Copa America series.
MATCHES (EDT)
Thursday, 9:30 p.m: USA v. Ecuador
Friday, 8:00 p.m: Peru v. Colombia
ODDS REPORT
EXPECTED CORNER TAKERS:
USA: Michael Bradley
Ecuador: Walter Ayovi
Peru: Christian Cueva, Yoshimar Yotun
Colombia: James Rodriguez
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Brad Guzan, USA v. ECU:David Ospina is the chalk pick as the highest favorite, which leaves Guzan or Alexander Dominquez as the next two options. With starting rightback DeAndre Yedlin suspended, head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has a big decision to make. Whoever he choses figures to be less of an attacking player than Yedlin is, which will only help Guzan in front of the net.
DEFENDER
Michael Orozco, USA v. ECU: Speaking of Yedlin replacements, Orozco would be a like-for-like fill-in, which certainly gives him the early edge for the job. He's still quite cheap on DraftKings, though it's worth noting his biggest benefit is salary savings and not huge fantasy points. Another option for Klinsmann is to use Steve Birnbaum or Matt Besler as a centerback and move Geoff Cameron out wide, which gives him ever so slightly more fantasy value.
Walter Ayovi, ECU v. USA: Ayovi has taken over corner duties for Ecuador, which immediately puts him in play given his defender status. The Americans' defense is hardly lock tight, and while there may not be a ton of goals, there could be plenty of attempts from Ayovi's crosses.
MIDFIELDER
James Rodriguez, COL v. PER: James has the highest upside of any player on the slate,
MATCHES (EDT)
Thursday, 9:30 p.m: USA v. Ecuador
Friday, 8:00 p.m: Peru v. Colombia
ODDS REPORT
EXPECTED CORNER TAKERS:
USA: Michael Bradley
Ecuador: Walter Ayovi
Peru: Christian Cueva, Yoshimar Yotun
Colombia: James Rodriguez
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Brad Guzan, USA v. ECU:David Ospina is the chalk pick as the highest favorite, which leaves Guzan or Alexander Dominquez as the next two options. With starting rightback DeAndre Yedlin suspended, head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has a big decision to make. Whoever he choses figures to be less of an attacking player than Yedlin is, which will only help Guzan in front of the net.
DEFENDER
Michael Orozco, USA v. ECU: Speaking of Yedlin replacements, Orozco would be a like-for-like fill-in, which certainly gives him the early edge for the job. He's still quite cheap on DraftKings, though it's worth noting his biggest benefit is salary savings and not huge fantasy points. Another option for Klinsmann is to use Steve Birnbaum or Matt Besler as a centerback and move Geoff Cameron out wide, which gives him ever so slightly more fantasy value.
Walter Ayovi, ECU v. USA: Ayovi has taken over corner duties for Ecuador, which immediately puts him in play given his defender status. The Americans' defense is hardly lock tight, and while there may not be a ton of goals, there could be plenty of attempts from Ayovi's crosses.
MIDFIELDER
James Rodriguez, COL v. PER: James has the highest upside of any player on the slate, and with a few salary-saving options elsewhere, it's certainly doable to pair him with at least one other high-priced player.
Jefferson Montero, ECU v. USA: If you're not comfortable with the potential low floor of Christian Noboa, who continues to take a decent number of shots, Montero certainly solves that problem with his crosses. He's sent in 16 in the last two games, picking up an assist in each match, and he figures to line up against whichever player fills in for DeAndre Yedlin.
FORWARD
Clint Dempsey, USA v. ECU: Dempsey has a goal in each of the last two games, while also assisting on two goals over that span. He's been the American's best fantasy option during the tournament, and if they are going to advance, it'll be because of Deuce.
Paolo Guerrero, PER v. COL: Some may be drawn to Colombia's Carlos Bacca due to their win odds, but going with the opposing striker may be the right move. Guerrero scored 19 and 21 fantasy points in the first two games, respectively, before being held in check by Brazil, though that match was more about Peru holding Brazil out than attacking. If Peru want to score the upset Friday, they'll have to do so by attacking Colombia hard, which means plenty of shots from Guerrero.
