USA Officially Invited to Copa America '04 -- but USSF rejects invite (p.7)

[IASocFan]

The US national team has been invited to Copa América to be held in Peru from 6-25 July 2004.

For details see: http://www.concacaf.com/view_article.asp?id=2168

Will the US participate in preparation for the semifinal round of WCQ? It would be a good way to test some new blood against some stiffer competition than the CONCACAF first round, but will greatly effect MLS play.

[Pyro]

This is great!!

[metroflip73]

YEEAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!!!

[Stinkey Turner]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Arena (or was it Sampson, long time ago, can't rememeber) decline the last invite becasue they thought it might affect the WCQ campaign? Wonder if we might pull out another excuse like that again...I'd like to see us do it.

[ThreeApples]

1997--turned down invite due to WCQ hex and MLS
1999--turned down invite due to Confed Cup
2001--was not invited due to Canada winning Gold Cup and Mexico being permanent guest. Costa Rica and Honduras were added at the last minute when Canada and Argentina withdrew.

[harttbeat]

Would this conflict the Olympic?

[Sachin]

Olympics are in August. Perhaps we should send the U-23 team there for some "seasoning".

Sachin

[purojogo]

USSF-Arena: Just say YES!

[jamison]

The US has to go. If for nothing else, it's more games against quality teams on the road, and you can't have too many of those if you are an up and coming team like the US. So what if it screws with MLS? It's a serious international competition that would bring tons of prestige to us if we won. We're not talking about them pulling 11 guys out of the league to play in Mercanorte or the Peace cup (no offense Galaxy).

Copa America is huge, the experience is vital. We need to go.

[CG]

Go! Go! Go! Go! you get the idea.

[Darknote2]

I think that in the worst case playing in Copa America will give more of our home players more international experience. Then, players wanting to go over to europe will have the exposure and may not face the same problems that Boby Convey had. It's just a thought, but I think if Mexico plays in it, they will improve their game and it kind of leaves us out of that training. Besides I may even try and make one or 2 of the games.

[Blue Eyed Soul]

Postcards from Peru!

[Roehl Sybing]

I honestly think our boys don't play enough. If they were invited to Copa America I can't think of a legitimate reason why they should turn it down.

[lond2345]

One of the most well known problems the USMNT has is that it plays too many friendly games AT HOME.

playing in a tournament with tradition outside of home is what the USA needs to do as often as it can. The experience of playing in Copa America would be great for the young players of the USMNT. There is a big difference in playing a south american team here in the USA for a friendly than playing against them for Copa America. The atmosphere is different which is another thing american players need to experience.

reminds me of the article from Jonnie Walker saying mls teams need to play in copa libertadores

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=1662870#post1662870

[GIO17]

I say GO FOR IT! Let's head on over there and have a good time.

[RoverMax]

We better accept this invite!

[Simon Birch]

Send players like Clark, Convey and Martino sprinkled in with some of our vetrans like Cherundulo, Bocanegra, O'Brien and even Gibbs (if he can be considered a vetran) to get them some exposure and also quality experience playing games that matter.

[NateP]

I really hope we go for this. Given the dates we should be able to call all of our Euro-based players and get them some game experience before the WCQ semis. Worst case they miss a little pre-season training, which should be an acceptable trade off for not calling them against the minnows in winter/spring 2004 as their leagues hit the stretch run.

[khsoccergeek]

Wouldn't playing in Copa America and doing well also help us immensely as far as getting enough points for that top seed for Germany '06? Even if it doesn't, I think the experience is well worth it.

[Ictar]

Originally posted by khsoccergeek
Wouldn't playing in Copa America and doing well also help us immensely as far as getting enough points for that top seed for Germany '06? Even if it doesn't, I think the experience is well worth it.

I think that in order for us to be seeded in Germany '06 we'd pretty much have to play and beat every other top ten team, and win something like Copa America, and not lose a game until '06. And this would probably have to start soon.

I guess it's possible that we could be seeded in Germany, but it's also possible Tyra Banks is going to show up at my door, take me away to live with her on her mansion on some tropical island, free to spend her millions on booze and drugs.