Copa América 2011 - Argentina - The Thread

[Locke]

Well Ladies and Gentlemen, the next major international tournament is upon us, the Copa America.

I find the most interesting part of this tournament tends to come from the invitees from other conferences, and this one is no exception.

The teams involved this year are, ranked in CONMEBOL ranking order:

- Argentina (4) - Hosts
- Brazil (5) - Defending Champions 2 Tournaments in a row
- Uruguay (7)
- Chile (14)
- Paraguay (24)
- Ecuador (49)
- Columbia (50)
- Peru (59)
- Venezuela (63)
- Bolivia (97)

The brackets indicate their world ranking.

The invited teams are:

- Mexico
- Japan

Today Japan has withdrawn due to national turmoil in the wake of the Tsunami/Earthquake.

Japan have pulled out of this summer's Copa America tournament, as the country continues to deal with the fallout from the devastating March 11 earthquake and subsequent tsunami.

Proposed to step in:

- Canada
- Costa Rica
- Spain

Costa Rica and Canada have been rumoured to be interested, while World Cup winners Spain have revealed they have received an invitation.


President of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) Angel Maria Villar told the press: "Spain has received a proposal to participate in the Copa America. We have been asked many times and it's something that Spanish football owes to South America for the great players who have come to play here.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...nvited?cc=5901

So, whos your team? I'll be following Brazil mostly due to having family down there, as well as Paraguay as I'll be following Suarez.

As has been the case the last few tournaments Argentina enter as the favourites, but one can hardly say that Brazil are ever really underdogs.

Although if Spain enter this and win I will be supremely pissed off.

[GirlySports]

Brazil for me too. I've been holding my nose while still cheering for Brazil during the Dunga era. Seems with the new manager they're playing more open.

This would be a great coup for Canada if they could get in. It's something that could turn the program around.

[troutman]

Why do they need to invite teams from outside South America? TV $?

I have a soft spot in my heart for Ecuador, but would like to see Argentina win too.

[PeteLFan]

Lets go Brazil.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by troutman

Why do they need to invite teams from outside South America? TV $?

I have a soft spot in my heart for Ecuador, but would like to see Argentina win too.

Yes. Mexico is definately for the money. That's a huge tv market for Copa America and Copa Libertadores. It's a strange relationship sometimes. South America wants Mexico to be in these competitions but don't want them to win it all.

"Bring your money but don't you dare win the thing".

Another team gets invited because we can't really have a tournament with 11 teams

[troutman]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Another team gets invited because we can't really have a tournament with 11 teams

Suriname gets no respect.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by troutman

Suriname gets no respect.

Guyana too while we're at it, one of those FIFA geographic anomalies that they are Concacaf.

The Suriboys and the Golden Jaguars. Ya I looked them up and just wanted to throw that out there.

I posted about the Canada Copa Americas thing in the MLS thread a few days ago, not knowing where else to put it so it's nice to see an actual thread on it.

Word going around is that the CSA is actually soliciting CONMEBOL for this spot which actually blows my mind - the last time they did anything good for the flagship program I wasn't alive.

I think if Spain turns it down it's actually going to be pretty close between us and Costa Rica in a federation vote. Canada has been playing friendlies with CONMEBOL pretty regularly for a while now and I think they are in good standing with most of the members.

[Locke]

I honestly hope Canada gets in, it would do wonders for the team.

It would devastate some MLS teams you'd have to think.

Also, it would be a little overshadowed by the playoffs as far as TV coverage is concerned too.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by Locke

I honestly hope Canada gets in, it would do wonders for the team.

It would devastate some MLS teams you'd have to think.

Also, it would be a little overshadowed by the playoffs as far as TV coverage is concerned too.

Agreed, it is in Flames making the playoffs longshot territory right now but I am hoping for it too.

I don't think it's going to be mainstream no matter what on TV but being in two tournaments running almost all summer would help them out from a commercial visibility point of view and I suspect might allow us to call up two or three hesitant guys like potentially Hoilett and really get our ducks in a row for qualifying this fall - it is an ideal preparation for the next cycle and as a Canadian soccer fan, I'd eat it up.

TFC probably get screwed the worst, although I think Hainault and Johnson would be a huge loss for Houston and Salt Lake - I don't even know if anyone from Vancouver gets the call.

Would be pretty compelling for Hart to be able to call Hoilett and ask him to come for a game against Argentina in the Copa America. Although our opener vs. the US in Detroit for the Gold Cup will be a big game it's not on the same scale.

[Locke]

I would just enjoy it because its fially a tournament that I regularly watch and can really cheer for Canada in. If Brazil wins, great, but I really dont care.

And the best way to improve is to play against good competition and you've got two of the best teams in the world there in Argentina and Brazil.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Matty81

I think if Spain turns it down it's actually going to be pretty close between us and Costa Rica in a federation vote. Canada has been playing friendlies with CONMEBOL pretty regularly for a while now and I think they are in good standing with most of the members.

It's going to come down to how diplomatic the Canadian representatives were when they played/organized the friendlies. If they were likeable, our aspirations might help as we could be seen as that nice guy who is trying to make it and you can't say no to helping him out. Then again, it is all politics and politicians are pricks driven by their private agendas and biases.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by Addick

It's going to come down to how diplomatic the Canadian representatives were when they played/organized the friendlies. If they were likeable, our aspirations might help as we could be seen as that nice guy who is trying to make it and you can't say no to helping him out. Then again, it is all politics and politicians are pricks driven by their private agendas and biases.

You're right about politics - I also think the two nations in that round robin group who are not Argentina will vote for us over the Ticos as we are lower ranked and they will want a weaker side that will not threaten their chances of advancing.

[GirlySports]

Japan is back in the tournament. They will use mostly European players and proceeds from their matches will be donated to the earthquake region.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Japan is back in the tournament. They will use mostly European players and proceeds from their matches will be donated to the earthquake region.

Japan drop out....again.

Japan have withdrawn from playing in this summer's Copa America, with Blue Samurai chiefs citing the country's recent devastating earthquake and subsequent rescheduling of the J-League as a key factor.

"With all due considerations, we cannot form a team to participate in such an important tournament as the Copa America and lamentably we must withdraw our place in the competition," Ogura said.

Mexico, the second invited team, will return to make their eighth appearance at the Copa America, but it looks unlikely that any other nation will be able to fill Japan's place at such short notice.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...merica?cc=5901

[moon]

Originally Posted by Locke

So, whos your team? I'll be following Brazil mostly due to having family down there, as well as Paraguay as I'll be following Suarez.

I know it is a bit late but you mean Uruguay don't you?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by moon

I know it is a bit late but you mean Uruguay don't you?

Whichever is guayer.

[GirlySports]

How could nobody be ready by July 1st? That's another 6 weeks.
Canada's doing nothing after the Gold Cup, they could get their **** together and go. It's a rare opportunity.

[Locke]

Copa America kicks off today with Argentina vs. Bolivia.

I cant wait for this tournament to start, the Women's World Cup is just not interesting to me, I'm expecting some pretty high quality matches from this tournament.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Locke

Copa America kicks off today with Argentina vs. Bolivia.

I cant wait for this tournament to start, the Women's World Cup is just not interesting to me, I'm expecting some pretty high quality matches from this tournament.

Until you see the first dive

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Until you see the first dive

True enough, but I'm sorry, the quality of the Women's World Cup has me jonesing for a higher level of play.

I ask for one thing and one thing only, Suarez, please dont do anything insane.