The best possible script would take the US Soccer team to the final of the Copa America 2007, pitch them with  Venezuela, and then inflict a heavy defeat upon the host nation.

This would have the effect of silencing the Venezualian president, Hugo Chavez, if only for a few days. Since it is Chaves who is waging a war of words against the Americans. Most of the time he is only teasing ("Hi, Condoleezza, are you all right today?" and all variations of "Gringos go home"), but it is no laughing matter at all to find that the official Venezuelan Copa America 2007 website (http://www.copamerica-2007.com.ve/) completely excludes the American flag from its pages.

Unfortunately, the above scenario (US beating Venezuela in the final in Morcaimbo on July 15, or even reaching it) is implausible, since Bob Bradley, the American coach, has decided to come to Caracas with an experimental squad. The US was my dark horse bet to upset all the odds and spring surprises all over the place, even against favourites Argentina in their opening match on Wednesday, but Bradley's decision takes the sting out of the Yankees real chances to challenge for the title.

'It is no laughing matter at all to find that the official Venezuelian Copa America 2007 website completely excludes the American flag from its pages'


On Sunday the US won the Gold (CONCACAF) Cup for the fourth time after defeating Mexico 2-1 in the final. If Bradley had stuck to the team and squad which were so superior during the tournament – five matches, five wins – then the Yankee Doodles could have spread their combative and entertaining Gospel to South America''s 42nd continental competition. As it is, the US will come to Venezuela without the services of Landon Donovan, Carlos Bocanegra, Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard, Marcus DeBeasley, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonatan Spector, Frank Simek, Brian Ching and Pablo Mastroeni – all of whom took part in the Gold Cup victory.

Moreover, six out of the nine above-mentioned players ply their trade in Europe, and are given a well deserved rest. Only seven footballers out of the 22 in the current squad play outside the USA. Which leaves Bradley without the backbone of his team. But this is the aim of the American coach. He does not harbour any dreams of revenge or lessons for president Chavez. Bradley wants to use this tournament to blood in youngsters and newcomers, and while doing so he may even spring a surprise or two upon us – and himself.

As for the other participants in Copa America 2007 – the field looks more inviting and balanced this time around, despite the exemption given by Brazil to the likes of Ronaldinho, Kaka and Ronaldo. Argentina, who lost to Brazil on penalties last time around (Peru 2004), definitely look a cut above the rest.

They have not won the Copa since 1993, but if Alfio Basile (the last coach to bring the trophy to Buenos Aires) cannot deliver the good this time - with the likes of Hernan Crespo, Carlos Tevez, Xavier Mascherano, Esteban Cambiasso, Lionel Messi and even Juan Roman Riquelme who has just led Boca Juniors to the Copa Libertadores title and agreed to come out of his International exile – then Argentina's failure will echo across the whole globe for a long while.

And what about the underdogs? Now that the Americans have more or less given up on a likely challenge, who will provide the spice, the tale of the unexpected? Most obsrevers point at Uruguay, Chile and Peru as teams on the verge of resurrection. Nobody tips Venezuela. Despite being the only team in the tournament to stick by their coach of the last Copa, Venezuela are still bereft of talent, experience and guile.

Home advantage is fine, so is the grouping with Bolivia, Uruguay and Ecuador in the first stage. That may bring the hosts a first victory in the tournament since their last and only one 42 years ago. But it will not be enough. Chavez was vain enough to brag that Venezuela will defeat Brazil 3-0 in the final. Reality will bite him strong and painful even without the help of the Americans