LOS ANGELES – Despite all the media speculation indicating that midfielder and Colombia captain James Rodriguez is totally ruled out of the team's match against Paraguay on Tuesday (10:30 pm ET; FS1, Univision, UDN), it seems that no final decision has yet been taken.
Colombian national team assistant coach Nestor Lorenzo briefly addressed the player’s status when asked about Dayro Moreno possibly replacing the Real Madrid playmaker in Los Cafeteros’ second Group A game of the Copa America Centenario
"Beyond the speculation on whether James will play or not – we will see how he evolves these days – I would rather talk about the characteristics of Dayro,” he said. "Dayro Moreno has projection and good pace that allows us to use him in that position with good results. We think he is a versatile player, he can also help in the back.”
Moreno, the Xolos midfielder, did feature in the No. 10 spot Rodriguez typcially occupies, during a 3-1 warm-up win over Haiti last Sunday.
Rodriguez suffered an injury in his left shoulder last Friday during opening match of the tournament, in which Colombia beat the United States, 2-0.
The Colombian playmaker fell on the ground with all the weight of his body on his left shoulder in a clash with the US captain Michael Bradley, forcing him to leave the match minutes later.
If Rodriguez’s is confirmed, Colombia head coach Jose Pekerman would have to move some players in the midfield. Though Moreno is an option, Monterrey playmaker Edwin Cardona is the most likely player to replace him in that No. 10 position.
"The responsibility [to replace James] is for everyone," Cardona at Sunday’s press conference in Los Angeles. "We know the quality he has and what he means to us and for the national team. It makes us our game easier when you are next to him for the quality he has. If I have to play in that position, I will obviously do it to benefit my team. "
