Copa America I keep reading that the US was invited to participate in Copa America. Why would the we choose not to participate in such a prestigiuos tournament????
Re: Copa America [rewinds tape, hits play] 1) WCQ began 2) In the middle of MLS season 3) If we win, it's nice but it's not the World cup and not a lot of people care. If we don't concentrate on the qualifiers and lose a couple, everybody cares. 4) The european-based players need a rest.
Re: Copa America Wow... shocked actually.. USA soccer looking to get on the map turning down a chance to play in a real tournament with brazil, argentina, mexico and the like cause of the MLS season and world cup qualifiers against grenada.. Thats amazing to me... Mexico is in CONCACAF, and i am pretty sure all the south american teams have to qualify aswell... Sad, perhaps we are as milk and cookies as people say...
Re: Copa America Brazil, Argentina and Mexico don't have their domestic league going on right now. Brazil, Argentina and Mexico aren't bringing anything close to their A-Teams so they have put a low value on the tournament themselves. Even Pareirra from Brazil said it's just another fixture on the calendar. I'm sure if the money was right we'd be there in a heartbeat.
Re: Copa America I get what you are saying, but i couldnt disagree more. The World Cup is once every 4 years and in between is a litny of meaningless friendly games and qualifying against the likes of Grenada and St. Kit. Who cares if the MLS is playing (and i am a Metro season tik holder). 8 out of 10 teams make the playoffs anyway, the regular season is almost an exercise exhibition. Its really no wonder soccer in this country doesnt really take off.. Come on guys, USA-Poland in a meaningless match or USA v Agrentina in the quarterfinals of a special tournament??
Re: Copa America I agree, Copa america is the perfect opportunity to introduce B level talent to the international game... 1993 and 1995 USA went to it... There is the argument USA lacks sufficient depth of talent, hence negative impact on MLS... My thought is USA assumed it'd be at the Olympics, giving some kids a good international blooding.....
Re: Copa America stay in study hall and do your phonics homework while the big boys puff away in the mens' room... what a crock! 3 HOURS LEFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! fuh-q
Re: Copa America Brazil's domestic league is going on and in full swing. Mexico and Argentina have near A teams (missing only a few big names). Both of their coaches will be in dire straits if they don't perform to expectations.
Re: Copa America why are you even bothering to explain it to these saps? our U.S. team have to prepare for such a world-class side like jamaica! gimme-a-fucqing-break! MLS? we've got the young guns to make due! Carlos Tevez jumped on a plane after league games AND after losing Libertadores final to play in Copa Amer. Gilberto's coming, so is Colombia's hero at the moment Henao! Not to mention Pizarro and Solano who also endured Euro seasons! Oh, and let me stop from snickering here, Costa Rica couldn't get Eric Scott b/c WHY? The Crew wouldn't let him get the experience in a tournament against the likes vs Uruguay (Forlan will be there, by the way!), Venezuela (bringing their guns. do you know how they're doing in qualifiers by the way? they would probably finish top at CONCACAF), Ecuador (Yes, most of their guns are coming) and let's look at Mexico. They had the league running, they squeezed in some friendlies, they practiced, they're coming! they ain't stupid to turn this down (can't believe i'm defending mexico here) fucq all this noiz about MLS, WCQ and tired players you get paid to play for your club but you bleed for your country! fucqing skirts! why am i wasting my time? 2 HOURS, 20 MINUTES LEFT HOMIES!
Re: Copa America I think security concerns made the difference. Peruvian President Allejandro Toldeo practically begged President Bush to get us to come. I believe there was still time after the loss in Olympic qualifying to accept. I'll bet they would have rejiggered the fixtures anyway, inviting Canada too if necessary, so we could make the scene. I think they fiddled with the fixtures at the last minute during the last Copa American when Argentina finally said they would not come. This is what happens when you become a pariah nation. Security concerns, real or imagined, trump all other considerations. It was only a year ago at this time that absolutely extraordinary security arrangements were taken during the Confederations Cup, and the expense and paranoia that surrrounds something like that linger. In reality, security in Peru is much better now than it was 20 years ago. I was scared when I was there in 1983 but in 1996, it was not bad at all. The Peruvians are used to dealing with terrorism. Lima went from being the car bomb capital of the world to a relatively safe place by South American standards. We could have rested the Europeans except for 1 or 2, taken no more than 2 players from any MLS team, and capped some new, young players who would have played in Athens. I'll bet Marcus Hahnemann, Nate Jaqua, Esakanderian and others would have loved to have the chance. I'll bet we could have won the whole thing or made a strong showing. It really is a shame.
Re: Copa America ****Wow a real soccer fan emerges.. But perhaps we are being a bit harsh, these players need their rest
Re: Copa America Yeah, BorrachoNJ makes a good point. Seriously, USSoccer can't be pu$$ies about this, next Copa America, we are going!
Re: Copa America This article says alot. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/soccer/07/06/copa.preview.ws/index.html
Re: Copa America you guys are making such wonderful arguments for why the U.S. should have accepted an invite. part of me is of the mind that we should be there. the rest of me could care absolutely less. This is not that important.
Re: Copa America There is one thing everyone has forgotten about AGAIN! THE OLYMPICS. At the time the US had to decide on Copa America the US had not been knocked out of the Olympics. Most favored the US to make it to Athens. If this had been the case. There would have been conflicts between the Olympics, WCQ, Copa America and MLS. Key players like Donovan, Beasely, Convey, and Casey would have to either be left off squads or would have been torn in too many directions. In interviews Bruce specifically mentions the Olympics and Copa America made the schedule too crowded. He is absolutely right!!! Yes there would be benefits of going to Copa America, but with the potential that WCQ could be jeopardized because of trying to juggle the Olympics and Copa America, it was too great a risk.
Re: Copa America i don't buy the "our schedule is too packed" excuse. worst case scenario: we qualify for the olympics, and end up sending a young/fringe team down to copa with bruce. let him get a look at their development. we don't have to enter the copa with expectations of winning. we can look at it like "hey, it's a chance for some kids to play in at least 3 highly competitive matches in front of semi-hostile crowds". we could cap some new blood and see how they handle the pressure; maybe figure out if they're international calibur or not. instead, we're playing a friendly at home against a poland b team. a game that's not really going to tell us anything new about the team we have... well... unless gaven scores 3. that article Red Card posted on the subject is a good one.
Re: Copa America Chicago: Justin Mapp, Jim Curtin Columbus: Edson Buddle, Kyle Martino New England: Clint Dempsey, Pat Noonan Metrostars: Eddie Gaven, Rico Clark DC United: Alecko Eskandarian, Ben Olsen Kansas City: Nick Garcia, Chris Klein Los Angeles: Chris Albright, Ned Grabavoy Dallas: Phil Salyer, Brad Davis Colorado: Kyle Beckerman, Nat Borchers San Jose: Brian Mullan, Ramiro Corrales Keepers: Tim Howard, Zach Thornton, Steve Cronin The keepers aren't currently being put to use. As for the rest, only two players from each MLS side was chosen, and no one who had played in the opening round of qualifiers was chosen. Code: ---------Buddle------Eskandarian----- ---------------Martino--------------- Mapp----------------------------Gaven ----------------Clark---------------- Corrales---Curtin---Garcia---Albright ---------------Howard---------------- Subs: Thornton, Borchers, Salyer, Olsen, Dempsey, Klein, Davis The question would be, is this too much of a disruption to MLS, and is it worth sending this side which would have a very tough time advancing to the next round?
Re: Copa America ***exactly... the bottom line is that every other country in Copa is in a similar predicament. Olympics, tired players, some with leagues still playing (brazil) but still manage to field a team for the tournament. Give the fans of the team a meaningful game once in a while.. We dont get that in the MLS till the playoffs (the regular season is basically exhibition) nor do we get it with the national team except for once every 4 years. That said, its no wonder people look overseas for their ball. They create a system where the games are meaningful literally every week.
Re: Copa America Right, but the South Americans HAVE to field teams. Most of them are sending B to B- or Olympic squads. There's no way it's worth screwing MLS teams by cherry picking two young talents off of each squad to go play in a meaningless tournament. As a DC fan, I'd be very happy to cheer for Olsen and Eski in a US uniform, but I'd be extremely pissed that two of United's best players were selected. If it's the full national team, fine. I can deal with it. If it's for a qualifier or a meaningful tuneup, cool. I understand. But to take United's best forward and hardest working midfielder for a tournament full of B-teamers? No f***** way. B-team games mean nothing. Repeat after me: Nothing. Fringe players who want to get capped should concentrate on excelling for their club sides. We have enough depth on the full Nats roster now that culling down to 22 or 23 for a World Cup roster presents some real problems for Arena. The Olympics would have been nice, but that's life. Going to Copa America at the expense of screwing soccer in this country is a bad, bad idea. As for the overseas teams having it better . . . you think Spurs-Southhampton means anything in late March? No. In most leagues, only a few teams have a real chance at winning the title. You call that better? Don't romanticize other places. And if you think the regular season is just an exhibition, you're delusional.
Re: Copa America *** Explain to me how its not exhibtion. Almost every team makes the playoffs. Wether you come in 8th or 1st it doesnt matter, you still each get one home game. Its a silly exercise really. I personally love the MLS, but i am not dillusional enough to think its structure is anything more than it is man.. Speak up and try to be heard instead of trying to shoot the obviously well thought out messenger. Critique and citicism is how things change for the better man, not sticking your head in the sand.
Re: Copa America there are enough question marks who won't be involved in qualifying but may see time in 06' that going to copa america would be justified. They would probably only play three games anyway