I agree it’s a lame-ish excuse, but those are the same players who will hit a wall come October because they’ve been playing for over a year. You hear it from top-level players after World Cup’s and Euro Championships all the time. There are going to be some seriously jaded Argentinians and Brazilians come the fall of La Liga and Serie A.

I was thinking more in American-specific terms, as the Gold Cup is a joke and we’re only guests in Copa America. Let me make it clear I’m not backing US Soccer here. I was just musing that if I’d come off a World Cup and then a season of the Premiership, I’d be more than willing to skip those two tournaments.

What????????

I think Argentina and Brazil have many European based players who are showing up and playing….who by the way are starters for major clubs and play in many more competitions. Excuses for stupid moves and players who don’t care about representing their country.

Then again, Onyewu and Beasley are almost in a similar boat, unwanted by their clubs after failed loan spells, but they’re still actually under contract.

But, honestly, if I were a European-based player (who actually played for his club), there’s no fucking chance I’d be willing to play in Copa America. You only get, maybe, a month off and (assuming you’re not a youngster) that time would be much better spent letting my body heal.

Taking the kids, although it’s much like leading a lamb to slaughter, isn’t that bad of an idea.

But, yeah, the roster is a fucking joke. Much like US Soccer’s leadership.

On the glass-half-full side, I’m a big fan of Kljestan’s hair, and I’m excited to see Nguyen and Davies, though I would much rather it have been in a friendly. And maybe Mapp will show some more spark and get noticed by a European squad.