James Rodriguez is at the heart of Colombia’s run to Copa America final vs. Argentina

A raging epidemic of yellow fever has engulfed Copa America over the past few weeks, and it is about to reach a peak on Sunday night when the resurgent Colombian national team plays defending champion Argentina in the Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium.

Los Cafeteros (the coffee makers), as the Colombian team is nicknamed, are unbeaten in their past 28 games, which is the longest active streak in international men’s soccer. They reached the final by knocking off Uruguay 1-0 in the semifinal despite playing a man down the entire second half. Colombia’s last loss was in 2022, to Argentina.

Ticket prices have soared since the two popular teams secured their spots with the cheapest listed at $1,600 as of Thursday afternoon.

“This final, Argentina and Colombia in Miami, which is like the capital of Latin America, it a perfect scenario,” said Alejandro Berry, a T.V. analyst with Univision, which will be broadcasting live from the stadium starting at noon Sunday leading up to the 8 p.m. kickoff. “On one hand you have Argentina, possibly (Lionel) Messi’s last Copa America; they are a favorite no doubt. They are the defending champions, even though they are not playing at their best. Messi is not playing at his best.

“But one of the biggest storylines has been Colombia. They are flying 1,000 miles per hour. Twenty-eight games without a loss. James Rodriguez seems touched by God. Everything he does is amazing.”

Berry has been traveling the nation to cover games and has been impressed by the number and spirit of Colombian fans everywhere he goes.

“The Colombians are going crazy with their team, you can just feel it with the color they bring, the music, the rhythm, the passion,” Berry said.

At the center of the Colombian team’s success is the revival of 32-year-old captain and talisman Rodriguez, who, like many soccer superstars is know by a singular name “James” (pronounced Ha-Mess).

The former Real Madrid star debuted with the national team in 2011 and made his big breakthrough during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil when his spectacular goal against Uruguay in the Round of 16 was voted Best Goal of the Tournament and in world soccer that year.

Rodriguez’s performance at that World Cup led to a transfer from Monaco to Real Madrid for $81 million, which was the fourth highest in history at the time. He scored 29 goals in 85 games for the Spanish club, went on loan to Bayern Munich from 2017-19 and then moved around from Everton in England (2020-21) to Al Rayyan in Qatar (2021-22) to Olympiakos in Greece (2022-23) to his latest stop with Sao Paolo in Brazil.

His playmaking skills have been on display the entire Copa, as he set a new tournament record with six assists, breaking Messi’s record of five. James provided the cross for Jefferson Lerma’s match-winning goal against Uruguay in the semifinal.

“Everything revolves around James Rodriguez, and James is brilliant at the moment,” Berry said. “His best moment came in the World Cup of Brazil 2014. Then he’s got a couple of good seasons here and there, but honestly, it’s been more downs than ups. But when he puts the yellow T-shirt of the Colombian national team, it’s like he’s another player. And he’s a great leader on and off the pitch. So, he’s bringing all the team together, and (coach) Nestor Lorenzo has done magic with this Colombian team as well. I mean, 28 games without a loss, and I think 24 are with him.”

Rodriguez was emotional after the semifinal, on the field and afterward in post-game interviews. The last time Colombia was in the Copa finals was when it won as host in 2001, beating Mexico 1-0.

“I’ve been here for almost 13 years, wanting this; we’re very happy,” James said through tears.

Previous coach Reinaldo Rueda left James off the roster for the 2021 Copa America, but Lorenzo brought him back and urged him to move to a stronger league, which he did.

“He brought James back and that is obviously one of his best accomplishments,” Berry said of Lorenzo. “Not only having James back but convincing him, engaging him, making sure that he feels comfortable because I think that’s honestly the difference. You take a look at him in other environments, in other teams and he’s at his best when he’s happy and comfortable. He is happiest playing for Colombia and you can see it and that has a lot to do with the managing of Nestor Lorenzo.

“It all worked out for him. They have the quality, talent and the manager, too.”

Luis Suarez update

Inter Miami star Luis Suarez, who had played sparingly for Uruguay, entered the semifinal in the 67^th minute, wore the captain’s armband, and took a shot that went off the right post. It is unknown if he will be available for Miami’s two home games net week.

CONMEBOL to investigate post-game brawl

Wednesday’s semifinal was marred by a post-game brawl between Colombian fans and some Uruguayan players, including Liverpool star Darwin Nunez, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Uruguay captain Jose Maria Gimenez said the players climbed into the stands because they were trying to defend their families, including babies and small children, from unruly Colombian fans. He described the scene and lack of security as “a disaster”, adding “It took the police half an hour to arrive and we had to defend our families. This was the fault of a few people who drank too much and don’t know how to handle it.”

CONMEBOL announced on Thursday that they will open an investigation into the post-game brawl, which could lead to suspensions and fines.