It is perhaps of no surprise to learn that Ecuador comes into the 2024 Copa Cup as an underdog. Besides Venezuela, they remain the only team that has yet to win a single Copa Cup. That said, their international football team is relatively young. La Tri, nicknamed after their national flag that has 3 colors, first appeared at the World Cup in 2002, and their best performance in the World Cup occurred soon after in 2006. In the 2006 World Cup, they beat Poland and Costa Rica, but went on to be knocked out in the Round of 16.
It can hardly be denied that La Tri’s history is clouded in defeats. Rather than being a team weighted down by gold metals, their records consist of awards like highest defeats (0-12), most matches until first victory (34 before a win over Columbia in 1949), and most goals conceded (311). A history of adversity only makes victories taste that much sweeter, though.
Led by Felix Sanchez Bas, a former AFC Asian Cup winner, La Tri will look to taste the sweetness of victory in their 30th appearance at the 2024 Copa América. Bas will look to upset the competition with a roster full of young and eager players as well as more experienced veterans. Allen Obando, a 17-year-old forward who plays for Barcelona F.C., will be vying for a spot to make his first international appearance. He played for Ecuador at the under-17 level and made his first appearance for the senior team in March of 2024. It is too early to tell whether Obando has had enough time to earn his spot on the team ahead of more veteran players like Enner Valencia (34 years old, Captain of La Tri and lead scorer) and Jordy Caicedo (26 years old). But it is enough to say that Obando is hungry and a young mind and set of legs might be what Ecuador needs to change their history. Moises Caicedo, a 22-year-old forward-turned-midfielder who plays for Chelsea F.C, is more experienced than Obando and will likely lead La Tri strategically, looking to open up the pitch and bring scoring opportunities. Trying to get the ball to Valencia will be a priority and a necessity if Ecuador is to defeat the competition.
This tournament has the potential to bring a lot of hope to Ecuadorians who have faced significant political whiplash, especially over the last 6 months. A state of emergency was declared by President Daniel Noboa in January after the escape of drug lord Jose Adolfo Macia from prison. An internal armed conflict broke out across Ecuador after this occurred, and cartels took hostages in several different locations. A news station was broken into, several people were killed, a college campus was attacked, and the lead prosecutor who was assigned to the case was murdered. La Tri will be playing not only for themselves but for their country–fighting for peace internally while also fighting for a victory in the international competition.
Check Out Highlights from Captain Enner Valencia