Brazil vs. Haiti
Copa America Centenario
June 8 | 7:30 pm ET | Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida
TV: FS1, UniMás, UDN
Brazil will look to kick-start their Copa America Centenario Group B campaign in earnest with a game against Copa debutant Haiti, who currently sit in last place in the group through the first matchday.
Can Brazil get on track?
Given the absence of Neymar (from the field, anyway) at the Copa America, in addition to a slew of injuries to hit the Brazilian squad in the run-up to the tournament, it always seemed likely we wouldn't be watching a vintage Brazil side this summer. But their lackluster 0-0 draw against Ecuador in the first matchday showed more cracks in mighty Brazil than many would have expected. Add in the apparent dose of luck they received in not losing that game, and it's remarkable to think they are lucky to have a point so far.
Still, this is Brazil we're talking about, and they should be heavy favorites against Haiti, sputtering form or not. If this game turns out to be an easy win for the South Americans, as expected, the question will turn to whether they have found their footing in the tournament, or if an inexperienced opponent helped them look better than they really are.
Can Haiti spring the upset?
Of course, all of the talk of Brazil's might will be moot if Haiti manage a result against the five-time World Cup champions. For all of the inexperience and lack of tradition Les Grenadiers have on the international front, their current rosters features players who play their club soccer all over Europe, the Americas and Asia. They played Peru very well in their 1-0 loss to open the tournament, and were inches away from walking off with a draw in that match.
Brazil are heavily favored in this game, yes. But if Haiti were able to post even a draw against them, it would be a major result. If they win? They'll make history at the Copa America and have a shot of getting out of the group -- and Brazil will be in trouble.
Hulk or Ganso to appear?
Dunga opted to keep one of the biggest names of this Brazil roster, forward Hulk, off the field against Ecuador. Will he do it again against Haiti? And might he make more adjustments in the attack, including giving mercurial playmaker Paulo Henrique Ganso some time on Wednesday?
While it seems likely Hulk will feature sooner than later, Ganso's mixed fortunes in recent years -- he was once touted as a better player than Neymar, but has never made the big move to Europe -- mean he may have to wait his turn. Still, with Brazil failing to impress in their opener, he may get a chance to show what he can do on the international stage.
