United States of South America?

OK, it's Tuesday, and I think I've finally gotten over the Fire's MLS Cup Playoff loss Saturday night to New England on penalty kicks to read and write about the beautiful game. (Simmering anger at Taylor fuckhead douchebag Twellman may remain throughout the offseason.)

They say soccer brings the world together, but I'm pretty sure they didn't mean by shifting the plates of the Earth's crust to create a new Pangea.

Yesterday, the US National Team accepted an invitation to compete in the 2007 Copa America Tournament. Copa America is the Regional Championship of South America. That's right. Get lucky in this tournament, and the good ole' USA could be South American champions, just like Pizarro, but without the smallpox-infested blankets. Apparently CSF (the South American governing body) and CONCACAF (North America) have an agreement to extend invitations to the other for their own regional competitions, but why let that stand in the way of geography humor?

The tournament is set to kick off in late June in Venezuela, so I'm confident that not only will the weather be UNDOUBTEDLY PLEASANT, but that the Stars and Stripes will also recieve a warm reception.

Copa America begins just days after the completion of the Gold Cup (The North American Regional Championship), where the U.S. will try to defend their title.