Why is the US only sending their B squad to the America's Cup in Venezuela?

Question

They are missing a lot of their top players.

Answer 1

It is a strategic decision and in my opinion a good one. There are many young player on the American team who need international experience. They need to learn how to stay focused and play in a hostile environment - where better to learn this than Venezuela?

Many American players have been playing for many months without a break. The U.S. based players are in the middle of their season and the top American players just got through winning the Gold Cup and need a rest.

The reward for winning at the America's Cup is a ticket to the Confederations Cup. The U.S. already has that by winning at the Gold Cup. In regard to that - what part of "dominated" does Mexico not understand. I'm surprised they still have any butt left after we keep whipping it! :-)

Answer 2

First, it helps develop some younger players and get them international experience. Second, it will be less of a let down if the B team loses in the America's Cup to perennial powers like Argentina and Brazil, and Bradley knows that his team is still working on and buying into the new system, and doesn't want a big early loss to make the players wonder about things too early. It may not be what we as fans want to see, but it is a shrewd move by a coach that I think can bring the US to the top of the heap worldwide and help them be competetive with the powerhouse football programs in the world.

Answer 3

The A squad needs some experience against better opposition....thats the only way they are going to get any better. Watching them in the gold cup did not impress me at all....

I would of rather seen this B squad in the Gold Cup ....have the senior players play the tougher tournament.....
But winning the gold cup gave them that berth into the Confederations cup.....

Bradley wanted to bring some of his top players to Copa America but I believe the US Soccer Federation had a huge say on his squad selection.

In addition.....the European based players are required to get 4 weeks off by FIFA rules...and the European training camp is around the corner....Some of these leagues start in mid August....

Answer 4

I personally think its a very shrewd more. Ever since I guess about 1997 or so when Steve Sampson was in charge and carrying on through the Arena years, a lot of young talent haven't gotten a true shot in "REAL" international competitons. I've seen a lot of no name guys come in and out of US camps for friendlies and such, but other than that most young guys never got a shot under these regimes. Seriously, why do you think that we are still looking for a replacement for Reyna, McBride, heck if u wanna go back a little, even Joe-Max Moore. Its because noone has been brought in and groomed at these positions for very long. Arena especially seemed to have a phobia of young kids. Bradley is just showing that he wants to really deepen the pool and and find out who can swim, and whos gonna drown in the next world cup cycle. Besides Bradley was proven on the club level that he has no qualms with youth.

Answer 5

Some of these guys like Onyewu have been playing 23 months straight without a break. The US based players like Donovan, well Bradley is sort of being nice to the MLS by letting them go back to their clubs. Guys like DeMerrit who didn't play last summer in the Cup, those guys are still with the team. Watch Charlie Davies and Lee Nguyen, they are really good.

Answer 6

It's a smarth move for Branley to send team B to Copa America. The young players need exposure to some good competition. This way, Bradley can make a good call on deciding which players he'll use next year for the WC qualifiers.

Either way, GO USA!!

Answer 7

We have 3 years to the World Cup, the players who will be ready to star in 2010 haven't had much experience playing at the international level. Its time to find out which rising young stars have what it takes and get them some experience. You could call it a rebuilding tournament.

Answer 8

Even though it is disappointing some of the European based players need time off to get ready for the upcoming season. All the MLS guys though should be going though as it can only help them.

Who knows maybe we'll get lucky win a game with 1 draw and make it out of the group round .

Answer 9

I think it's that they are all tired. because they just finished the gold cup and none of the starters want to go.

Answer 10

i know! it sucks... but bradley wanted his younger players to experience it... no donovan, dempsey, howard or bocanegra... hope they have a good finish! USA all the way!
=]