The 2024 Copa America final will be played this Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami between the Colombia national soccer team and Argentina national soccer team.

Oddly enough, there is a Club Tijuana connection with one of the players in Colombia, who even played with the border city club at the youth level.

The player in question is Jhon Arias, who has been a starter for Los Cafeteros in every single match this Copa America. Arias is a speedy and skillful winger who has played with great club teams such as America de Cali, Santa Fe, and, most notably, Brazilian side Fluminense.

Arias has now played over 100 games with Fluminense and won the coveted Copa Libertadores with the Brazilian team in 2023. The 26-year-old midfielder is also now a consistent starter and key player in the Colombia national team squad that is undefeated in 28 games heading into this final.

However, before the glory, Arias was a journeyman teenager looking for an opportunity to play professional football in Mexico. Arias was playing with Club Tijuana’s sister club, Dorados de Sinaloa’s academy, and eventually received an opportunity to join Xolos’ academy.

The skillful winger was 19 when he arrived at Tijuana’s academy but struggled heavily to try and crack the first team. Arias played with the U-20 squad in 2016 and was not considered for the first team by manager Miguel Herrera after the Colombian player had no goals or assists at the youth level.

Unfortunately, Miguel Herrera missed the massive potential that Arias had, and the young player went to his native Colombia, where he received a first-team opportunity with Patriotas Boyaca. Arias still had to prove himself at the youth level and eventually made his professional debut in 2018.

In this Copa America, the 26-year-old has displayed that grit and perseverance that helped him become a professional footballer. Arias has played out wide but has also had to play in a midfield role, where he has had more duties than just creative or offensive ones.

Arias has one assist in this Copa America and will be looking to add to that tally in the grand final, but he will surely be effective in whatever role he is asked to do. The former Xolos’ academy player has shown his versatility in this tournament and will surely have some type of role in what is set to be a very tough match against Argentina.

Francisco Velasco

Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.