Tuesday, July 03, 2007

So... Exactly what are we doing at Copa America?

US spanked 3-1 by Paraguay, three days after being slammed 4-1 by the Argies. I don't like our chances in a consolation game against a mediocre Colombia side on Thursday, either. Apparently, though, we squandered at least three golden chances to level the game at 2-2, yesterday, before Paraguay netted an insurance goal just before the end. Also, Jimmy Conrad all but gifted Paraguay the go-ahead goal, sleeping on a back pass in front of his own goal. Not a shocking results by any means, but it begs the question: What the hell are we doing at Copa America if we don't have any intention of competing?

I truly don't understand the selection of this team by Bob Bradley. You're throwing out a bunch of newbies to see what they can do, right? I get that. But why are they playing side-by-side with guys who will likely be too old or too worn to be in the national team picture in two years' time? Aside from Eddie Johnson and probably Taylor Twellman, none of the "vets" (aside from perhaps Justin Mapp and Ricardo Clark who hardly fit the description) on this team will be around much longer. So what's the sense in seeing if the new talent can blend with them? I realize we're just coming off the Gold Cup (so is Mexico, by the way, and they sent virtually the same team down to Copa because they seem to have at least the faintest bit of pride) and the Under-20s are happening, but still, it's stupid. Where's the common sense?

While we're talking Copa, check out Robinho's hat trick against Chile. The second one is classy and the third one gets me out of my seat.

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