On the far side of the sea-like river estuary that helps to define Buenos Aires is the only Latin American country to reach last year's World Cup semifinals, eclipsing the performance of Brazil and Argentina, which both lost in the quarterfinals.
Chile, Colombia and Paraguay are also real threats to win the South American title instead of the two traditional favorites.
"We have to capitalize on our experience in the World Cup, correct what we have to, and be prepared," said Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez, who will field a similar team from South Africa, led by Diego Forlan, who was voted the best player in the tournament.
Host Argentina and Brazil are still the heavyweights in the Copa America, which starts Friday and runs through to July 24. They've played in the last two finals, with Brazil winning both to capture four of the past five titles.
Argentina and Uruguay have each won the championship 14 times, with Brazil on eight titles. After that, nobody is close. Paraguay and Peru have two each, with single championships for Colombia and Bolivia. The dominance of the big three is hardly surprising since Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay have combined to win nine of the 19 World Cups.
"I would bet it will be another final between Brazil and Argentina," said former Brazilian national team player Socrates. "This forecast is no surprise, but it's what everyone expects." The Copa America is widely regarded as third most important international competition — behind the World Cup and European Championship — and has a lot going for it. It also comes with a quirk.
Two teams are invited as guests to round out the field to 12. This year it's Mexico and Costa Rica. Both will be fielding youth teams, shadows of the squads that competed at the Gold Cup in the United States.
Mexico, which defeated the United States 4-2 in the final, will be without exciting Manchester United striker Javer "Chicharito" Hernandez. The team will be led by Tottenham forward Giovani Dos Santos, who will play with mostly Mexico-based players.
Japan was scheduled to play, but backed out after the deadly March 11 earthquake and tsunami to be replaced by Costa Rica.
"Because we are playing with youth players, it doesn't mean we will not play well," said Luis Fernando Tena, an assistant to Mexico coach Jose Manuel De la Torre. "We have a good generation of young players, and we are going to compete and try to win the thing." The final is set for River Plate's Monumental stadium.
However, the venue could now be in doubt after riots on Sunday by River Plate hooligans following the club's relegation to the second division. Vandals ripped out seats, tore up concession areas and left the stadium looking like a war zone.
In effect, the stadium is a crime scene. A prosecutor has ordered the stadium closed until the turnstiles can be inspected. He has suggested the legal capacity of 40, 000 people was exceeded by 12, 000. He said it would remain closed until his work is done.
CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American football, and the Argentine Football Association insist the final will be played at Monumental stadium as scheduled.
The Copa America dates from 1916 — older than the World Cup or European Championship -and has been graced by some of the greatest players in the game: Pele and Maradona, to name just two.
The Argentine and Brazilian stars are all household names: Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano, Javier Zanetti, Diego Milito for the hosts; Neymar, Robinho, Alexandre Pato, Elano and Dani Alves for Brazil.
Some of the stars from other countries don't need much more of an introduction.
Forlan may have had an average season at Atletico Madrid, but he could make a difference and will team up with Edinson Cavani (Napoli) and Luis Suarez (Liverpool). Cavani was the Serie A scoring leader for much of the season, finishing second with 26 goals after being suspended for the last two matches.
Chile has Alexis Sanchez, perhaps the most sought after player on the transfer market. Known as "El Nino Maravilla" (The Marvelous Kid), Sanchez has been linked with a move from Italian club Udinese to Barcelona. New coach Claudio Borghi will face pressure. He succeeds Marcelo Bielsa, whose team played attractive football as Chile reached the World Cup's second round - its best result since 1962.
All eyes in Colombia will be on Radamel Falcao, who scored 34 goals this season with FC Porto, including the winner in the 1-0 victory over Braga in the Europa League final.
Shortly after, coach Andre Villas-Boas moved to Chelsea.
Falcao might be going with him, and he will certainly make some headlines in Argentina.
"We go to the Copa America with the hope of being contenders, fighting for the top spot to return to Colombia the prestige that it deserves," Falcao said.
Don't count out Paraguay. The club reached the World Cup quarterfinals last year and seems to do more with less. The top scorer is Argentina-born Lucas Barrios from German champion Borussia Dortmund. The coach is also an Argentine, Gerardo Martino.
"We're not going to the Copa America to just see what's going on," Martino said. "We're looking to reach the final. We have to go to win it, like everyone else."