The Copa América begins tonight. 

Brazil vs. Bolivia

Estádio do Morumbi, São Paulo, June 14, 2019

Kickoff: 8:30 PM EDT / 9:30 PM BRT / 12:30 AM GMT

US TV: Telemundo, Globo (apparently)

TAKE NOTE! Thanks to Telemundo (and apparently Globo, if you pay for their international broadcast), you don’t have to pay for ESPN+ here in the US, contrary to what I thought initially.

US Streaming: ESPN+, FuboTV

Expected Starting Lineup: Alisson; Dani Alves (C), Thiago Silva, Miranda, Filipe Luís; Casemiro, Fernandinho, Coutinho; Richarlison, Roberto Firmino, David Neres.

Three brief notes on tonight’s game:

  1. Back in white: For the first time in quite possibly 70 years, Brazil will play a competitive match wearing white uniforms, in honor of the side that won the 1919 Copa América. Brazil originally abandoned the white kit after the Maracanazo. Is the color still cursed? 
  2. Arthur out: After suffering a nasty tackle against Honduras, Arthur will sit out tonight’s game at the very least. While his absence is not likely to cost Brazil in this game at least, it brings the team’s defensive brittleness to the forefront. Tite is likely to use a Casemiro-Fernandinho double pivot in the absence of the Barcelona midfielder. Casemiro is all-but certain to earn himself a yellow card suspension at some point; the aging Fernandinho has a decent chance of doing the same if he keeps starting. If either of them misses out and Arthur isn’t back, suddenly the only holding midfielder in the squad of any kind becomes Allan. Marquinhos could come into midfield in a pinch, sure, but that would leave two 34-year-olds and a guy who’s much better as a right-back as our only options in central defense. Tite’s decision to select Fagner instead of Fabinho—and to stick with Fagner even though he’s been injured for essentially the entire preparatory period—looks even more foolish now. 
  3. Getting a strong start? Recently, Brazil have not done very well in their opening game of the Copa América. In the 21st century, they’ve won their opener only twice, both times thanks to a 90th-minute tiebreaking goal. But Bolivia are maybe the weakest team in South America, and two of the most impressive performances of Tite’s tenure came against them: a thumping 5-0 win at home and, away, Brazil’s best performance in La Paz in years—only 13 saves from the opposing goalie kept the game scoreless. Even without Neymar, I have to think this particular streak will end tonight with a 3-0 win.