Copa America: Monday-Tuesday Cheat Sheet

MATCHES (EDT)

Monday, 7:00 p.m: Panama v. Bolivia
Monday, 10:00 p.m: Argentina v. Chile
Tuesday, 8:00 p.m: United States v. Costa Rica
Tuesday, 10:30 p.m: Colombia v. Paraguay

ODDS REPORT

Something feels weird about these odds, no? Costa Rica, the 23rd-ranked nation in the world FIFA rankings and quarterfinalist at the 2014 World Cup are the biggest underdogs on the slate against a U.S. team that has been consistently inconsistent over the past two years.

And how about Chile, who just happened to have won this tournament last year by beating Argentina in the final? Granted, the tournament was in Chile, but it's still tough for me to believe that Argentina will be able to roll Chile without (or with a banged up) Lionel Messi.

CORNER TAKERS

Panama: Gabriel Torres*, Armando Cooper*
Bolivia: Martin Smedberg-Dalence*
Argentina: Angel Di Maria*
Chile: Alexis Sanchez*, Arturo Vidal*, Eugenio Mena*, Charles Aranguiz*
United States: Michael Bradley
Costa Rica: Joel Campbell
Colombia: Edwin Cardona
Paraguay: Derlis Gonzalez, Oscar Romero

* expected

PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS

GOALKEEPER

Jaime Penedo, PAN v. BOL ($4,900): With hesitancy about USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann still being unable to find a consistent defensive unit, I'll pass on Brad Guzan, who just led his club team to a championship. Oh wait, sorry, Aston Villa were relegated to the SkyBet Championship, the second division in England. With additional uneasiness about the Argentina v. Chile match, I'll fade all four of those potential keepers and go with Penedo against a Bolivia side that lost 4-0 to the U.S. in their final tuneup to the tournament. Panama haven't exactly been an attacking juggernaut in their own right, and I'm definitely tempted to go with Romel Quinonez ($4,400) on the other side.

DEFENDER

Ronald Matarrita, CRC v. USA ($4,600): Matarrita has been an excellent option during MLS play, and he carried it over to Costa Rica's opener, finishing with five crosses, two fouls drawn, three tackles won and five interceptions, plus a three-point clean sheet bonus. With the U.S. attack looking far from dominant, Matarrita should have plenty of opportunities to move forward.

Eugenio Mena, CHI v. ARG ($4,100): Mena has lined up as a left-sided midfielder and a leftback for the Chileans, and if he does end up in a more attacking role, he's well worth the spot with defender eligibility. The clean sheet bonus is highly unlikely, but a salary just north of $4,000 allows more spending elsewhere.

Mauricio Isla, CHI v. ARG ($3,800): On the other side of Mena is Isla, who provides a decent floor thanks to his tackles and scattered crosses.

MIDFIELDER

Angel Di Maria, ARG v. CHI ($9,300): The price is high, but Di Maria has arguably the safest floor of anyone in the tournament. He takes all corners for the one of the best attacking units (even without Messi), and he's extremely active toward goal himself.

Nicolas Gaitan, ARG v. CHI ($7,900): Gaitan is expected to start if Messi cannot go (which seems likely), and he provides solid access to an attacking unit that will be led by Gonzalo Higuain, who requires $1,300 more in salary cap space. Gaitan does a lot more for his club team, which is evidenced in his game logs, but he's still a high upside option.

Arturo Vidal, CHI v. ARG ($7,800): While Alexis Sanchez is the more well known player, Vidal is the engine that makes Chile go. As ridiculous as it is to say he's a player who steps up in big games, he has a solid history of doing so, and facing the top-ranked team in the world qualifies as such.

Martin Smedberg-Dalence, BOL v. PAN ($5,500): The Bolivia v. Panama match is expected to be the second-highest scoring game of the day, and even if the goals don't find the back of the net, Smedberg-Dalence could provide a decent floor while taking Bolivia's corners.

Christian Pulisic, USA v. CRC ($3,400): Frankly, I'd be shocked if Pulisic got the start despite how well he's been playing, but if he is in the first XI, this price makes him almost impossible to ignore.

FORWARD

Derlis Gonzalez, PAR v. COL ($6,300): A forward who takes corners is a rare commodity, but it's important to grab them because of the solid floor they provide. Colombia may have beaten the U.S. 2-0, but they looked far from dominant and will be without star James Rodriguez.

Gonzalo Higuain, ARG v. CHI ($9,200): Higuain tied the record for most goals scored in a Serie A season this year, and he'll now lead the Argentina attack without Messi, which should allow him to take even more shots than normal.

Joel Campbell, CRC v. USA ($7,000): Campbell is taking corners for Los Ticos and the Americans continue to struggle defending set pieces, as evidenced by the opener they allowed to Colombia on Friday.

Roberto Nurse, PAN v. BOL ($4,400): Nurse is expected to start up front with Luis Tejada, and if you're going for the punt play, why not take the guy who costs $1,400 less than the other?