Bob Barham Miami, Fla. Assuming that we receive another invitation to participate in the next Copa America in South America, what are the chances that Bruce Arena will accept? Because we did extremely well in this prestigious tournament in ’95 (fourth place), I would love for our national team to give it another go. Ridge Mahoney: Bob, I doubt it, because of the MLS conflicts. If invited, the United States should send a team, perhaps limiting the number of players each MLS team would release, or better yet, MLS would suspend its season during the Copa America. But I can’t see the latter happening, and many teams are having enough trouble selling tickets without having to deal with stars leaving for 3-4 weeks. Many of the 1995 players were with foreign clubs, and so came to U.S. Cup and the Copa America honed, if a little fatigued. The arrival of MLS changed all that. Another complication is the 2001 schedule will be crowded enough, even if MLS teams play only 28 games as opposed to 32, with 10 World Cup qualifying games to be played during the calendar year. U.S. Soccer, which is very protective of its public-relations image, is reluctant to send anything less than a full-strength team to an international competition. It would make sense to send a developmental team — A “B” squad or U-23 team — to the Copa America even if the MLS stars weren’t available, along with a few of the foreign-based players. But, remember, those foreign-based players will need as much rest as they can get in a calendar year crammed with qualifiers — assuming the U.S. advances — and I think most would be reluctant to risk injury in a tough competition, as prestigious as it is, that has no bearing on the World Cup. This month, a bunch of MLS teams will have to play important games (Aug. 16) on the same day the U.S. is playing Barbados, and the same conflicts will occur on Sept. 2-3. The USA vs. Costa Rica match Oct. 11 could conflict with the third game of the MLS semifinal playoffs, the matches that decide which teams go to MLS Cup 2000. The irony of the Copa America is that few teams send their strongest squads — Gabriel Batistuta did not play for Argentina last year, and Colombia and Uruguay sent young teams — but USSF is less willing to do so. Last year, Mexico sent a mix of veterans and Olympic players, and reached the semifinals. Brazil sent most of its stars, as well as a few youngsters, and won it. I’d like to see the Federation send a team if invited, regardless of the conflicts. But I’d bet against it. Good question, and I am going to ask Bruce Arena for his thoughts. (If you have a question for a Soccer America Magazine editor, click “Q&A with SA Editors” in the left column of the home page under “Interactive.”)