After missing the past few matches with the Seattle Sounders Nelson Haedo Valdez returned to the field during Paraguay's first match in the Copa America. The forward entered in the 74th minute of the 0-0 game. Neither Costa Rica nor Paraguay would score after the Sounder took the field.
Valdez' play is more remarkable for the escalation of tension than any attacking moves. Within five minutes he committed a foul, and then on the next Paraguay foul committed against Costa Rica Nelson was judged to be the cause of a fracas.