Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez named in Colombia's Copa America squad

Radamel Falcao will look to recapture his goalscoring touch in time for the Copa America

Bogota, May 13 (IANS) Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao and Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez have been named in Colombia's preliminary 30-man squad for the Copa America.

Falcao will captain the side even though he endured a difficult season at United. The Colombian has scored just four goals and spent long periods on the substitutes bench, reports Xinhua.

Meanwhile, compatriot Rodriguez has impressed in his first season at Real with 16 goals from 43 matches, despite missing two months with a foot injury.

Coach Jose Pekerman, who will trim the squad to 23 on June 1, also included uncapped pair of Cristian Bonilla and Francisco Meza on Tuesday for the tournament that will be held in Chile from June 11 to July 4.

Colombia, who won the Copa America in 2001, have been drawn in the same group as Brazil, Peru and Venezuela.

Colombia squad

Goalkeepers: Cristian Bonilla (Equidad), David Ospina (Arsenal), Camilo Vargas (Atletico Nacional).

Defenders: Darwin Andrade (Standard Liege), Santiago Arias (PSV) , Pablo Armero (Flamengo), Eder Alvarez Balanta (River Plate), Pedro Franco (Besiktas), Francisco Meza (Santa Fe), Johan Mojica ( Real Valladolid), Jeison Murillo (Granada), Carlos Valdes ( Nacional), Cristian Zapata (Milan), Camilo Zuniga (Napoli).

Midfielders: Abel Aguilar (Toulouse), Edwin Cardona (Monterrey), Juan Cuadrado (Chelsea), Fredy Guarin (Inter), Alexander Mejia ( Monterrey), Juan Quintero (Porto), Andres Renteria (Santos Laguna), James Rodriguez (Real Madrid), Carlos Sanchez (Aston Villa), Edwin Valencia (Santos).

Forwards: Carlos Bacca (Sevilla), Radamel Falcao (Manchester United), Teofilo Gutierrez (River Plate), Victor Ibarbo (Roma), Jackson Martinez (Porto), Luis Muriel (Sampdoria).