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Orlando’s Top Five Copa América Centenario Moments

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8 years ago

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Yep, it's over already.

Orlando's role as a Copa América host was decidedly brief, with just three matches played during the group stage of the tournament. And while we didn't see many big names at Camping World Stadium, there was plenty of action for the passionate soccer fan.

Between Tropical Storm Colin and a guy named Blas, here are Orlando's top Copa América moments.

5. Kendall Waston takes out Nelson Valdez in stoppage time

There's playing to the whistle, and then there's what Kendall Waston did last weekend.

If you watched Costa Rica vs. Paraguay to scout the USMNT's next two opponents (Jürgen still isn't taking my calls), then you had to be encouraged by a lifeless 0-0 draw between the Group A sides. But when Kendall Waston was sent off in the 94th minute for a brutal tackle on Paraguay's Nelson Valdez, you were probably ecstatic, as one of Costa Rica's best defenders was forced to miss the next match against the United States.

That ended up working out pretty well for the USMNT.

4. Watching grass grow at Camping World Stadium

It was almost more entertaining than Costa Rica vs. Paraguay.

But seriously, we need to talk about how nice it was watching soccer played on natural grass in Orlando. I’m tired of hearing the announcers complain about artificial turf during MLS games and watching Kevin Molino or Adrian Winter hopelessly chase down long balls that skitter across the end line.

Orlando City will be playing on the real stuff at their new stadium next year, and if you ask me, it can’t get here soon enough.

3. Blas Pérez goes for the Golden Boot against Bolivia

In one of the more unlikely performances of the group stage, 35-year old Vancouver Whitecaps man Blas Pérez decided to clown on Bolivia. During a tropical storm no less.

While Pérez may be Panama's second all-time leading scorer, he's not exactly a Copa América headliner, which made his performance in a 2-1 win over Bolivia even more impressive.

He got his country on the board first with this cheeky finish:

Before securing all three points with the game winner:

He's all but locked up nickname of the tournament with "Super Ratón," but a couple more performances like this could land Pérez the Golden Boot. And a draw against Argentina or Chile could even send Panama to the knockout round.

2. Coutinho's hat trick against Haiti

Who needs Neymar?

Brazil took a big step toward securing its place in the Copa América quarterfinals with a dominant 7-1 win over Haiti on Wednesday, getting almost half of those goals from Liverpool starlet Philippe Coutinho. The 23-year-old has already become a household name at Anfield, but he didn't mess around in front of almost 30,000 fans at Camping World Stadium.

How good was the performance? Less than 48 hours later, it's already been made into one of those YouTube highlight videos set to a weird techno song.

Video-game type stuff from the biggest name to hit Orlando during the Copa América.

1. Haiti gets its historic goal

In a battle between the seventh- and the 74th-ranked teams in the world (Haiti is currently ranked one spot behind Burkina Faso, which I now know is a place), the outcome was never really in doubt. But for a country like Haiti, the exposure of a Copa América appearance can do wonders for the club careers of its players and the long-term viability of the national team.

That's why moments like this from James Marcelin are so special.

Playing on a field with guys from clubs like Chelsea, Liverpool, Roma, and Atletico Madrid, the 29-year-old Carolina RailHawks midfielder pulled one back against Brazil and etched his names into the Copa América record books, scoring his country's first ever Copa América goal and the nation's first against Brazil. Pretty cool moment if you ask me.

What are your most memorable moments? Please share your favorites below in the comments section.

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