Give an early thumbs up to new U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati as he announced the U.S. National team has accepted an invitation to attend the Copa America.
Lets face it……it was a no brainer but by quickly saying yes to the invitation Gulati has made a statement that the U.S. National team program is ready to move forward.
Fact is it is about time that the United States National team looks at South America and Brazil and Argentina as standard bearers in this part of the world.
Mexico has done it for years……playing and competing against Concacaf teams is not going to elevate the experience and environment for the top U.S. players in the long run. The choice also can help grow the game with U.S. soccer fans who have been longing to see their team in the Copa America. Sunil, seal the deal with Jurgen Klinsmann, put your top choice MLS coach as an assistant and lets move forward……..Chivas USA’s Juan Pablo Garcia has made it public about his wanting to move to Europe. He ranted and raved in game one of the MLS Western Conference semi-finals vs. Houston when Chivas USA coach Bob Bradley took him out in the second half like a spoiled youth soccer player not thinking of anyone but himself. Then in the second game in Houston he provided a poor example for his teammates and fans alike, generally instigating more than playing soccer. At the final whistle he kicked Alejandro Moreno starting a fracas that eventually was quelled. Maybe he will blame his behavior on Chivas USA head coach Bob Bradley and his tactic of defending deep without Ante Razov in his lineup. Juan Pablo, how about some accountability and professionalism….