Wed Jun 27 19:48:41 2007

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U.S. set to open Copa against Argentina

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Maracaibo, Venezuela (Sports Network) - The U.S. Men's Nation Team (MNT) is back in action Thursday in its Copa America opener against Argentina, four days after winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup over Mexico on Sunday.

The difference in the U.S. team will be evident in Venezuela, however, as the squad will boast a significantly different roster than the one that won the North and Central American and Caribbean regional tournament.

Only eight of the 22 players on the Copa roster played in the Gold Cup, with four of those players - Ricardo Clark, Eddie Johnson, Kasey Keller and Brad Guzan - playing secondary roles, mostly as reserves. The other four - Jonathan Bornstein, Jay DeMerit, Benny Feilhaber and Taylor Twellman saw significant time but mostly as role players. Among the eight tabbed to play in both tournaments, only two started the final against Mexico - Bornstein and Feilhaber - while two others came on as second-half subs - Clark and Twellman.

The players who had the biggest impact on the MNT repeating as Gold Cup champions - Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard were left behind.

"To play in two tournaments is a big challenge," U.S. head coach Bob Bradley told the Associated Press. "We had many discussions with our players and their clubs and we ended up with a younger team."

Despite the young roster that features many players with limited or no MNT experience, Bradley, who has led the Americans to a 10-0-1 record since taking over the team at the beginning of the year, plans to use the same attacking strategy in the Copa as he did in the Gold Cup.

"Our tactics are the same," Bradley said. "We've worked to establish a strong mentality and we believe in our work."

The opener against Argentina doesn't figure to be easy, as the South American power is gunning for its first Copa America title in 14 years. Argentina is currently ranked fifth by FIFA and will have almost its top team with Europe- based stars Hernan Crespo and Lionel Messi highlighting the roster.

"We all have great respect for Argentina, but we're excited for the challenge," Bradley said. "A little respect for your opponent is good, but too much is bad."

The Copa America actually began Tuesday with Group A teams in action. Peru topped Uruguay 3-0 and Venezuela and Bolivia battled to a 2-2 tie.

After the U.S. opens Group C play on Thursday against Argentina, it will be back in action on Monday against Paraguay and the following Thursday against Colombia.

The quarterfinal rounds will take place July 7-8 with the semis on the 10th and the final a day later.