It seemed like a no-brainer that FIFA would add the 2016 Centennial Copa America, which will be played June 3-26 in the U.S. to its official calendar.
But with FIFA, not every given is a given.
Well, the organization added it last week.
Why is that important?
Because once an event is on the official calendar, clubs must release players to join their national teams if selected.
This means that the national teams from South America, the U.S. and Mexico will be at full strength, which should make for an exciting tournament.
U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann has said that his goal is for the U.S. to make the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Doing well in the Centennial Copa America in a field that will feature Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Colombia should provide a good barometer of what the team will need to do achieve Klinsmann’s goal.
Why is this important to Atlanta? Two reasons.
First, the Georgia Dome is bidding to be one of the host cities for 2015 Gold Cup. The city could bid to be one of the host sites for Copa America tournament.
Second, though Atlanta’s MLS team won’t draft any players until December 2016, or acquire players through the SuperDraft until January 2017, it could already ink at least one of its Designated Players by the summer of 2016. So, there’s a chance that Atlanta’s MLS team could already have a player appearing in a major international tournament before they’ve suited up for the new team002E
FIFA news, part II: FIFA said last week that it won't divulge the findings of the report that investigated the bidding process in which Russia and Qatar won the rights to host the next two World Cups in 2018 and 2022.
It is a silly step by FIFA, which is under constant and considerable scrutiny in the wake of several charges of corruption levied against current and former members.
One way to change the culture, and the public’s perception, is to actually change the culture. Continuing to hide will only breed more skepticism.
FIFA news, part III: FIFA's medical committee, unlike its parent organization, took a step into the 21st century last week by recommending a three-minute timeout after a player receives a head injury so that team physicians can evaluate the player.
Good read: Friend of the column Grant Wahl penned this great feature on former U.S. men's national team coach Bob Bradley, who is enjoying success in Norway. I wasn't a fan of Bradley in his last few years with the U.S., mostly because it seemed like everyone knew what the roster would be before he even named it because of a reluctance to try new players. However, his results with Egypt and now at Stabaek are undeniable.
MLS attendance: Major League Soccer set a record with its 113th sellout this season. The record came in Toronto's 3-2 win over Portland on Saturday.
The previous record was set in 2012 and matched last year.
Donovan honored: Landon Donovan tied the MLS all-time assist record in Sunday's 4-0 thrashing of New York. Donovan assisted on three goals and is now tied with Steve Ralston with 135.
Donovan is retiring at season’s end and has at least four games left to set a new mark.
“I’m proud of it,” Donovan told mlssoccer.com. “To get an assist record, you have to have a lot of people scoring goals, so it’s not just putting the ball in the right place, it’s people finishing, and they scored three very good goals tonight, which helped.
“I’ve had a lot of guys score a lot of goals on my behalf, so it’s a credit to all of them, too.”
MLS and Atlanta
How MLS players with ties to the metro Atlanta area did this week:
Joe Bendik (@jtbendik), Toronto, GK, Kennesaw
Played 90 minutes and made two saves in team’s 3-2 win over Portland on Saturday.
Next game: At Los Angeles on Saturday.
Mark Bloom (@markbloom21), Toronto, D, Marietta
Played 90 minutes in team’s 3-2 win over Portland on Saturday.
Next game: At Los Angeles on Saturday.
Alex Caskey, D.C. United, M, Dunwoody
Played 90 minutes in team’s 2-0 win over Tauro on Wednesday.
Didn’t make the 18 for team’s 1-0 win over Philadelphia on Saturday.
Next game: Will host Sporting KC on Friday.
Ricardo Clark, Houston, M, Jonesboro
Played 90 minutes and had an assist in team’s 2-0 win over Chicago on Sunday.
Next game: At New York on Saturday.
Warren Creavalle (@warrenspeak), Toronto, D, Acworth
Made the 18 but didn’t play in team’s 3-2 win over Portland on Saturday.
Next game: At Los Angeles on Saturday.
Sean Johnson (@sjohn25), Chicago, GK, Snellville
Played 90 minutes and made three saves in team’s 2-0 loss to Houston on Sunday.
Next game: At Philadelphia on Thursday and will host Montreal on Sunday.
Alec Kann (@akann90), Chicago, GK, Decatur
Did not make the 18 for team’s 2-0 loss to Houston on Sunday.
Next game: At Philadelphia on Thursday and will host Montreal on Sunday.
Steven Kinney (@stevenhkinney), Chicago, D, Norcross
Did not make the 18 for team’s 2-0 loss to Houston on Sunday.
Next game: At Philadelphia on Thursday and will host Montreal on Sunday.
Chris Klute (@chrisklute), Colorado, D, Silverbacks, Clayton State
Didn’t make the 18 for team’s 1-1 draw with San Jose on Saturday.
Next game: Will host Seattle on Sunday.
Jack McInerney (@jackmcinerney9), Montreal, F, Alpharetta
Played 90 minutes and had three shots in team’s 2-0 loss to Columbus on Saturday.
Next game: At Chicago on Sunday.
Joe Nasco (@joenascogk18), Colorado, G, Silverbacks
Made five saves in team’s 1-1 draw with San Jose on Saturday.
Next game: Will host Seattle on Sunday.
Michael Nwiloh (mnwiloh6), Chivas USA, D, Conyers
Didn’t make the 18 for team’s 4-2 loss to Seattle on Saturday.
Next game: Will host Real Salt Lake on Sunday.
Walker Zimmerman (@thewalkerzim), Dallas, D, Lawrenceville
Didn’t make the 18 for team’s 3-1 win over Seattle on Wednesday. He is suffering from a left hamstring tear.
Next game: At Vancouver on Saturday.
