Defending Copa America champions Chile were on the field for training on Tuesday (May 24) ahead of next month’s tournament.
Chile is hoping to repeat last year’s victory, their first-ever Copa America title on home soil, with a new coach at the helm, Juan Antonio Pizzi.
Pizzi has kept much of last year’s team intact and midfielder Francisco Silva said it could bode well for Chile’s chances.
“The base [of players on the Chilean team] has played a long time. We saw in the last Copa America that we came out champions and why not this one too? They are the same players, the desire and the attitude remain,” he said.
Meanwhile, young center forward Nicolas Castillo – who has shown promise for Chile – said he was happy to be among 23 nominated to play for the Copa America team.
“My position is center forward and here I am fighting for my position, waiting for my opportunity without any rushing into anything. And Alexis [Sanchez] has looked good. Since I have known him, he has been the same way, with a lot of energy, a lot of happiness and he looks good,” he said.
Sixteen teams will be competing on United States soil in the 100th anniversary of soccer’s oldest international championship and each of them has submitted a squad of 23 players.
Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez, Chile’s second-most capped player after goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and a veteran of two World Cups, will be representing his country in his third Copa America.
The tournament will start on June 3 when hosts the United States take on Colombia in Group A at Levi’s Stadium before Brazil launch Group B play the following day against Ecuador at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
The final of the prestigious tournament will be held on June 26 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Expanded by four teams, the Copa America is being staged this year outside the South American CONMEBOL nations for the first time.
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2016