Carlos Ruiz Los Angeles I read the interview with Alan Rothenberg in the July 13 issue of SA, and I was surprised to see that once again the U.S. will pass up an invitation to play in the upcoming Copa America in order to for the U.S. Cup to take place, and to not interfere with the MLS season. Don’t you think this is a really bad idea? After the terrible performance by the U.S. in the World Cup, isn’t it necessary for U.S. soccer to regain some of the respect we’ve lost as soon as possible? There is no way the U.S. Cup, a tournament where participating countries send their second-string teams to play in half-empty stadiums, compares to the intensity of play in the Copa America. Since Mr. Rothenberg plans to pick a national team coach before his time is up, then there should be enough time to put together a team good enough to compete against the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay. What do you think? By the way, where is the next Copa America going take place, and if there is a U.S. Cup in ’99, who is expected to participate? Ridge Mahoney: Carlos, I agree with you 100 percent! Missing out on the Copa America is a big mistake — Rothenberg fears the backlash of MLS clubs, who griped enough about losing players so early for the World Cup — since it is a chance to blood players in tough conditions. (Paraguay is the 1999 Copa America host, by the way.) U.S. Soccer is putting its priority on U.S. Cup in the hope it will draw big crowds: Those revenues, plus TV rights fees, is what the federation is looking at. This seems foolish, since tons of Nike money is on the way, but then again, Nike likes the idea of a tournament in which it can showcase the U.S. lads, and U.S. Soccer likes U.S. Cup since it can control TV, signage, sponsorships, etc. But as for the competitive and player-developement aspects of a U.S. Cup, it has little to offer, and I don’t think it will draw large crowds, either, unless some big countries send strong teams. Now, maybe, big appearance fees with player stipulations written in will entice teams to send good squads, but the timing is all wrong, and so is U.S. Soccer’s thinking about the Copa America. If nothing else, send a team of younger players — perhaps even a pseudo-Project 40 all-star team, with a few younger World Cup vets thrown in — to speed their development. And Claudio Reyna, unless he burns it up at Wolfsburg this coming season, should go just to clear up his reputation and prove something to himself and his teammates. No early word on U.S. Cup opponents, but Argentina has a standing offer, and before the World Cup debacle, there were rumors of Germany as well. Not a bad field, if both teams come, and bring decent squads with an incentive — like $500,000 to the winning team — to play hard. Otherwise, it’s a shortsighted farce. Robert Boone Goodlettsville, Tenn. I am planning to go to England and try out with some of the Premier teams’ youth teams. However, I recently heard that if you are a part of their programs you will be ineligible to play college soccer. So will I be ineligible just by trying out? I read in a recent Q&A session that Indiana’s Matt Fundenburger spent some time in Europe, what did he do there without being ineligible? Paul Kennedy: This is a very tricky issue. There are players who have gone to Europe and tried out and played on the amateur teams of pro clubs and kept their eligibility. Dario Brose, who played for Kaiserslautern’s amateur team in the German Third Division his last year of high school and then starred at N.C. State, is the notable example. I’m not sure what club Funderburger was at, but IU would never have used him if it thought there was a potential problem. I am not going to give you the definition what you can or can’t do regarding a tryout or tackle the issue of what constitutes involvement with a pro club that would make a player ineligible. The NCAA Manual is as complicated — and thick — as the IRS Code. This information you are going to have to get directly from the NCAA, based on the specifics of the proposed tryout. Its number in Kansas is (913) 339-1906. Ed Chrnko Salas Cleveland, Ohio My question is actually about the upcoming CONCACAF Champions Cup in August. Would you happen to know when the tickets will be going on sale? And if they already are on sale, how and where do I get them? Pete Bailey: The CONCACAF Champions Cup finals will be held at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. on Aug. 11, 12, 14 and 16, with a doubleheader played on each date. Tickets for individual dates can be purchased through TicketMaster at 800-551-SEAT. For package or group sales, contact the D.C. United ticket office at (703) 478-6600. Season-ticket holders are eligible for a special discount package and should call D.C. United for inquiries. For the schedule of games, see the story in the International section of www.socceramerica.com Steven Diaz Holbrook, N.Y. What is the possibility of Bruce Arena becoming national team coach, especially considering his strong player development skills? How can I/we push for his hiring or will we be stuck with another foreign mercenary? Mike Woitalla: In my estimation, Bruce Arena has a very good shot at the national team job. His record at Virginia and with D.C. United speaks for itself, and remember also that he took the Olympic team to within one goal of advancing to the quarterfinals in 1996. If U.S. Soccer hires an American, then Arena would certainly have to be the man. To make your voice heard, you can write to Alan Rothenberg, U.S. Soccer president, 1801 S.Prairie Ave., Chicago, IL 60616. Rashon Mirump Washington, D.C. I was wondering about the international status of Welton of the L.A. Galaxy, in terms of possibly one day playing for the U.S. Aside from his scoring, he has the ability to take players on 1-v-1, something sorely lacking in most American players. He’s only 23 and were he American, surely he would have gotten a look from Steve Sampson. If, theoretically, he got his citizenship in time for the 2002 World Cup, would he be a candidate for that squad? I know he has never played for the full Brazilian team, but has he ever represented Brazil in a FIFA-sanctioned event? A friend told me he played in the Pan-Am games; is that true and is that FIFA-sanctioned? Paul Kennedy: Playing in the Pan-Am Games would exclude Welton from playing for the U.S., since it is an official competition.