Copa America: 15 surprises so far

Jun 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Venezuela midfielder Tomas Rincon (8) and defender Oswaldo Vizcarrondo (4) and defender Wilker Angel (2) celebrate a victory against Uruguay in a group play stage of the 2016 Copa America Centenario at Lincoln Financial Field. Venezuela won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jun 16, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Ecuador forward Enner Valencia (13) runs to take possession of a pass against United States during the first half of quarter-final play in the 2016 Copa America Centenario soccer tournament at Century Link Field. The United States defeated Ecuador, 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Enner Valencia shines in the group stage

Valencia has taken some deserved criticism this summer following a series of disappointing performances, but nobody can deny his form in the group stage was one of the main reasons Ecuador was able to qualify for the knockout rounds.

The 26-year-old has had plenty of success in his career at the club level and is one of Ecuador’s most prolific goal scorers ever with 16 tallies in 28 career games. West Ham picked up the promising striker from Liga MX side Pachuca in 2014, but Valencia has just eight goals in 51 appearances since.

With transfer rumors swirling, Valencia faced a ton of pressure entering the Centenario as 13th-ranked Ecuador’s primary attacking option. Valencia was able to shake his poor form on the club level and turn in a strong tournament, at least in the group stage.

A 39th-minute goal from Valencia in the second group game against upstart Peru helped Ecuador erase a 2-0 deficit, a critical result in their qualifying campaign. Valencia added another tally against Haiti in the 11th minute to put him in early Golden Ball conversation.

While Valencia whiffed on a few prime scoring opportunities in the quarterfinal loss to the United States, his form in the group stage came as a surprise. The move from West Ham to West Brom may still be on, but Valencia’s good Copa America performance has complicated matters.

Next: 10. Costa Rica tops Colombia

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