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Slate on Soccer: Perfect time to turn attention to Euro 2016, Copa America – Metro US

Slate on Soccer: Perfect time to turn attention to Euro 2016, Copa America

Slate on Soccer: Perfect time to turn attention to Euro 2016, Copa America
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With the Stanley Cup and NBA Finals now over, there won’t be much in terms of live sporting events for the rest of the summer (which officially started today) besides baseball. That’s precisely why it is such a great time to get into soccer,with two wonderful tournaments going on (2016 Copa America and Euro 2016) as we speak. It couldn’t be easier to follow those either since every match is presented live on Fox Sports 1, FX, ESPN and ESPN 2 respectively.

Orlando City (MLS) Delivers Moving Tribute to Victims of Shooting

Major League Soccer took a break for over two weeks as the 2016 Copa America took place around the U.S. with many of its players appearing for their home countries. On Saturday, Orlando City hosted San Jose in the first professional sporting event in Orlando since the deadly shooting at Pulse Nightclub on June 11 that claimed the lives of 49 innocent people. In the 49th minute of play, the action on the field totally stopped as both teams and the fans in the crowd all stood silently to remember the victims.

Euro 2016 Has Provided Plenty of Thrills Already in the Group Stage

It has been going on for over a week and Euro 2016 in France has brought many interesting storylines to the forefront: tiny Iceland tied Portugal, Albania picked up its first ever win at a major tournament and some of the top teams in Europe (France, Italy and Spain) are up to their usual strong level of play. Group play wraps up with four matches apiece on Tuesday and Wednesday. Of the 24 teams in the tournament, 16 (all the 1st and 2nd-place teams plus the four best 3rd-place finishers) make it to the knockout round which begins on Saturday.

RELATED: Copa America – USA vs. Argentina preview

There are Four Matches Left This Week in 2016 Copa America

Just four teams are left in the 2016 Copa America: the host United States, Argentina, Chile and Colombia. The U.S. (3-0-1) takes on Argentina (4-0-0) on Tuesday (9, Fox Sports 1) at NRG Stadium while Chile (3-0-1) and Colombia (3-0-1) meet on Wednesday (8, Fox Sports 1) at Chicago’s Soldier Field. The third-place match (yes that is really a thing) is on Saturday with the Final on Sunday at locations TBA.

Follow Metro soccer writer Richard Slate on Twitter: @RichSlate