Copa America YES or NO?

[ilidav]

I keep on reading different things. That the US declined to go, that we were not even invited. I couldn't find *#*#*#*# on conmebol.com or ussoccer.com.

What is it then? And why not?

[El Buki]

Originally posted by ilidav
I keep on reading different things. That the US declined to go, that we were not even invited. I couldn't find *#*#*#*# on conmebol.com or ussoccer.com.

What is it then? And why not?

Last I heard the US was invited, and didn't officially decline, but because of a lack of a response from the US, CONMEBOL went ahead and invited Costa Rica which promptly accepted. There maybe new info out there but this is the last I heard.

[ilidav]

Bruce Arena is an arrogant SOB. I wouldn't doubt it. Oh well, I guess what those rumors say can be true, we are not a threat to anyone, we were good in 2002 WC because of good luck. They way we played in Confederaciones was a disgrace, Copa Oro, please!!!! Now we are not even going to Copa America to play the better teams like Brazil and Argentina. Will we make it to 2006?

[appoo]

Originally posted by ilidav
Now we are not even going to Copa America to play the better teams like Brazil and Argentina. Will we make it to 2006?

I'm not sure I understand the connection between playing Copa America and not Qualifying for WC 2006. Since when is playing Brazil and Argentina on the same level as playing Gutemala, Jamaica, Hondouras, and T&T? They're probably a good look at what we'd get from Meixco at the Azteca and Costa Rica in that Lion's Den they call the Saprissa. But those aren't must win games anyhow. I assume we lose those games before naming the squad. We should EASILY finish in the top 4 in a 6 country tournament of CONCACAF opponents

[appoo]

also Copa America would be completly pointless and an extreme hassle for our MLS guys. Not to mention Qualifying is in the general vicinity of those dates.

[IASocFan]

I think Bruce and USSF made a decision based on what they thought best for US Soccer. MLS was interrupted by the Confed Cup and the Gold Cup this year. Next year we have qualifying and the Olympics. I think I'll still have enough soccer to get me through the summer.

[Red Card]

Originally posted by IASocFan
I think Bruce and USSF made a decision based on what they thought best for US Soccer. MLS was interrupted by the Confed Cup and the Gold Cup this year. Next year we have qualifying and the Olympics. I think I'll still have enough soccer to get me through the summer.

With all the problems in the world and all the anti-America sentiment, it is the prudent thing to stay home as much as possible.

[ilidav]

I just thought that playing better teams like the South American teams would give our new guys a better concept of what World Cup can be.

I just pray that we make it and make hisotry again.

ARRIBA EL FUTBOL!!!

[ilidav]

Originally posted by Red Card
With all the problems in the world and all the anti-America sentiment, it is the prudent thing to stay home as much as possible.


Please RedCard.....

[diablodelsol]

I just worry that our Euro players are going to come into the first round out of shape like they did last time. Copa America would have been a perfect training camp to get the Euro guys back in shape.

[mschofield]

Originally posted by Red Card
With all the problems in the world and all the anti-America sentiment, it is the prudent thing to stay home as much as possible.
Absolutely. But why stop there? Do we really want to go to Greece? And what about Germany in 2006, that's sure to attract a lot of attention? In fact, just having a national team _ especially calling it the United States National team _ is asking for trouble. Maybe we should change the name, enroll the team in the A-league and not bring in our best players, just in case something happens. Just a thought.

[soccerfan]

Originally posted by mschofield
Absolutely. But why stop there? Do we really want to go to Greece? And what about Germany in 2006, that's sure to attract a lot of attention? In fact, just having a national team _ especially calling it the United States National team _ is asking for trouble. Maybe we should change the name, enroll the team in the A-league and not bring in our best players, just in case something happens. Just a thought.

you have a point granted, ....but now that WC qualifying begins in June does that make it impossible to go to Copa America or not, (when is CA played ? )

Why not send the olympic team to Copa America and use all Euro based players for the WC Qualifiers in June, this way there are no major MLS conflict

we have a few good players in Euro that could take care of the job without any MLS players

[Martin Fischer]

Originally posted by soccerfan
... we have a few good players in Euro that could take care of the job without any MLS players

Go over to the Yanks abroad thread and check out the proposed lineups. They all involve Jovan Kirovski and require Jacob Thomas, Tony Sanneh or Kenny Cooper at Forward. I wouldn't play any WC Qualifier with this lineup.

[ilidav]

I think we should've participated in Copa America. It does not interfere with WC qualifying and like I said before, What better experience can we get by playing against South American teams versus Central and Caribbean. Oh well, chance is lost. Let's hope Bruce Arena builds up a good team and we can qualify and proof that US Futbol is kicking!

[Jose L. Couso]

YES.