Injury threatens Albright’s U.S.A. prospects

U.S.A. are sweating on the fitness of defender Chris Albright after he was injured playing for L.A. Galaxy.

Axed Solano goes out fighting

Peru star Nolberto Solano has described his time with national team as a “closed chapter” after being left out of coach Julio Cesar Uribe’s latest squad.

Uribe: My team needs discipline

Peru coach Julio Cesar Uribe has given an insight into why he may have left out stars Claudio Pizarro and Nolberto Solano from his latest squad.

Blanco’s chance to stake Copa America claim

Mexico veteran Cuauhtemoc Blanco is a surprise inclusion in coach Hugo Sanchez’s preliminary squad for the Copa America and Gold Cup.

Suarez fears slow Ecuador progress

Ecuador coach Luis Fernando Suarez admits “there’s a lot to be done” if his team are to make an impact in Venezuela.Despite impressing at last summer’s World Cup, Suarez (pictured) refused to talk up La Tri’s Copa America chances.

Ecuador are in the tricky Group B, alongside reigning champions Brazil, plus Chile and Mexico.

Suarez told El Universo newspaper: “We want to get to the level of what international soccer currently is, where you need speed and fast moves. I want to see speed, and this is what I’m demanding at every practice.”

He also believes Brazil will be able to cope with the absence of Kaka and Ronaldinho.

“Putting together a competitive team won’t be a problem because Brazil have a large number of players. They will be the protagonist, no matter which players they take.”

Ecuador brushed aside Poland and Costa Rica at Germany 2006, where they were knocked out 1-0 by England in the last 16.

Chile want to host 2011 Copa America

Chile have become the first country to formally announce their intention to hold the 2011 Copa America.

Dunga fears Copa America rivals

Brazil coach Dunga thinks holding on to the Copa America will be tough for the five-times world champions.

The Selecao won the 2004 tournament in Peru – beating Argentina on penalties in the Final – but Dunga (pictured) says the standard of play in the region is now higher.

Bolivia and Paraguay arrange friendly

Bolivia and Paraguay will face each other in a friendly just a week before the Copa America begins.

Basile calls on Argentina’s finest

Alfio Basile has named a strong squad of Europe-based players for Argentina’s friendly against Switzerland next month.

The Albicelestes coach has included Leo Messi, Carlos Tevez and Gabriel Heinze (pictured) on the list of 20 players who will travel to Basel for the match on June 2.

Taffarel hits out at Kaka and Ronaldinho

Former Brazil goalkeeper Claudio Taffarel has criticised Kaka and Ronaldinho for asking to sit out the Copa America.