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Copa America Centenario is back in New Jersey for its final match: a repeat of the 2015 Copa America final, as it happens. The winner of that final, Chile, has appeared to get steadily more confident and proficient as this tournament has progressed. La Roja won its preceding knockout round games by an aggregate score of 9-0, the memory of an opening match loss in the group stage is almost erased.
Almost, but not quite, since the team that beat Chile in that opening game is today's opponent: Argentina. La Albiceleste is no longer the prohibitive favorite to win this final, because Chile has looked increasingly difficult to contain. But even with a few injuries in the squad, the Argentine bench will likely house players who would start for any other team in this competition.
Ezequiel Lavezzi (that startling tumble over the advertising boards in the semifinal broke his elbow) and Augusto Fernandez are out, but Argentina coach Gerardo Martino has said the rest of his squad is available - including Angel Di Maria.
Chile has changed coaches since the last Copa America, and is not playing at home this time. With a win, the new coach, Juan Antonio Pizzi, could settle all concerns about his ability to match the work of his predecessor, Jorge Sampaoli, and that of Marcelo Bielsa, the man credited with developing La Roja's current identity as one of the hardest pressing sides in international soccer.
Pizzi will be without midfielder Pablo Hernandez - injured in the semifinal against Colombia - and possibly Marcelo Diaz, as well as defender Eugenio Mena, who took a knock early in the tournament.
Much attention will be focused on Lionel Messi, who makes almost any team he plays for favorite to win whatever competition it is in. But the Argentine superstar can expect close attention from La Roja, and Chile have their own stars. Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez do not shine so bright as Messi, or even some of the other top players in the Argentina squad, but they too are capable of turning games at the highest level.
Both finalists, as the competition is devised to ensure, look to be in good form and ready to deliver an entertaining game to a large crowd at MetLife Stadium.