Colombia’s Copa América roster: Which MLS players could make the cut?

We’re now less than a month away from the start of Copa América and coaches will be pondering those crucial final roster decisions. Most teams have already named an expanded squad for their pre-tournament friendlies, which will then need to be cut down to a 26-man roster by 12 June.

One of the few national teams yet to announce their initial roster is Colombia, who come into the tournament on an impressive run of recent form. Head coach Nestor Lorenzo has a talented pool of players at his disposal, including a number of faces that will be familiar to fans of MLS.

Will any MLS players represent Colombia at Copa América?

Real Salt Lake have made a lightening-fast start to the 2024 MLS season, currently leading the Western Conference and recording two points per game across their first 14 fixtures. They boast the best offensive record in the West, in large part due to the incredible output of star striker, talisman and team captain Cristian ‘Chicho’ Arango.

With 13 goals to his name the 29-year-old Colombian leads the league for scoring, even ahead of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, and has contributed a further eight assists. It’s an impressive return from 14 games played and he could find his way into the Colombia squad this summer. However the most recent of Arango’s two international appearances came in 2021 and his advancing age may make it difficult for him to force his way back in.

More likely to be involved is Arango’s RSL teammate, Andrés Gómez. Still only 21, the former Millonarios forward has impressed with his pace and directness since moving to Utah in 2023. He made his international debut last December and found the back on the net in his second appearance, scoring in a 3-2 win over Mexico. He looks certain to be involved this summer.

There is no shortage of Colombian attacking talent in MLS and Columbus Crew striker Cucho Hernández is among the best all-round strikers in the league. He led the Crew to MLS Cup last year, scoring in the victory over LAFC and finishing as MLS Cup MVP. Still only 25, Hernández could be a versatile attacking option for Lorenzo to consider.

Finally, there’s a trio of US-based defenders who could squeeze into this summer’s Copa América squad. Brayan Vera, another Real Salt Lake player, featured against Mexico last December and has made a solid start to 2024. In the upcoming friendlies Lorenzo may wish to take a closer look at two younger MLS defenders, both of whom have made just two previous international appearances. Andrés Reyes (New York Red Bulls) and Juan Mosquera (Portland Timbers) could find their way onto the expanded roster for the friendlies, but look unlikely to make the tournament team.

Can Colombia win Copa América?

The Colombian national team could well be the surprise package of the 2024 Copa América. Argentina and Brazil are expected to battle it out for the trophy but La Tricolor come into this summer’s tournament off the back of an incredible run of recent form.

They have won all of their last six fixtures, including victories over Brazil and Spain. Lorenzo’s side have kept three clean sheets across those matches and look well set-up for tournament soccer.

Their chances have been bolstered by the recent form of Liverpool forward Luis Díaz, who cemented his place in the Reds’ starting XI in the final months of the Premier League season. The 27-year-old is now in the peak years of his career and knows that this is a real opportunity for Colombia to lift their second-ever international trophy, a first triumph since the 2001 Copa América.