Copa America (not America's Cup)

[BDS]

Has anyone been following Copa America? The U.S. sent a second-string squad (no Landon Donavon, or DeMarcus Beasely or others), and have lost their two games handily.

So far, the surprising result of the tournament was Mexico beating Brazil 2-0. Brazil is missing Ronaldhino, Kaka, and a few others, but were still (and are still) the pre-tournament favorite, along with Argentina. They recovered to beat Ecuador 3-0 behind a Robinho hat trick in their second game. Argentina is loaded – all the stars are playing. I watched them beat Columbia 4-2 last night, behind a brace of goals from Juan Roman Riquelme.

Riquelme scored his first (to give Argentina the lead 2-1) on a great header from the penalty spot. In his usual style, he didn’t celebrate, or even crack a smile. “All in a day’s work,” he seems to shrug, after each fabulous play. His second goal was a free kick from about 23 yards out, just left of center. He’d taken another free from about two yards farther out 5 minutes earlier, which he curled over the wall toward the near post. The keeper anticipated it, and saved it easily. Needless to say, the announcers said, “Not the usual Riquelme quality…blah, blah.” So when he had his second free from the same spot, he drilled it into the far corner (which the keeper was covering, but, after the previous effort he was leaning the wrong way). Absolutely brilliant. For those who don’t follow soccer, Riquelme led tiny Villareal to the UEFA Cup last season, and this year went back to Boca Juniors and won Copa Libertadores. Now he’s likely to win the Copa America. He’s probably the best free kick specialist in the world, and a great playmaker. After his stunning free kick blast to the upper corner, Juan Roman ALMOST smiled.

In other soccer news, I noticed Freddy Adu scored a hat trick as the U.S. under 20s demolished Poland.

[curses]

I've seen an odd match or two. I missed the US/Argentina match on Saturday, but did catch the Bolivia/Uruguay match.

I hate to say it, but are you surprised at the US's performance? It seems we don't take international play that seriously, which doesn't bother me after having watched some of the MLS matches :shudder:

Ever scarier is having gone to see our local USL team play. There seems to be a distinct lack of enthusiasm in the sport as a whole.

[BDS]

The U.S. won the Gold Cup (the North American Championship) just a couple of weeks ago. Copa America generally invites a couple of CONCACAF (North America, Central America, and the Carribean) to their championship.... this year the U.S. and Mexico were invited. Both the U.S. and Mexico rested some of their stars for Copa. It hasn't seemed to hurt Mexico, though, who won their group ahead of Brazil. The U.S. (by dint of their Gold Cup victory) qualified for The Confederations Cup, in which they will play against the winners of Copa, Euro 2008, Asian championships and African Championships in South Africa prior to the next World Cup. So it's understandable that we would concentrate on the Gold Cup, and not care so much about Copa America. (By the way, the U.S.'s 2-1, come from behind victory over Mexico in the Gold Cup final was thrilling and action-packed -- great game.)

ONe function of sports is to create a common bond of interest that can stimulate discussion -- just like hit movies do. Soccer in the U.S. has never quite gained the momentum to do that (unlike football, basketball, and baseball). I've always thought that American Networks deliberately sabotage the sport (because of the "no time-outs" rule). The fact that there are no commercials is the main reason I like soccer. American sports have so many commercials that they are practically unwatchable, unless you are with a group of people so you can talk during commercials.