Rose Bowl Hoping To Host Four Copa America Games, With At Least One Including Mexico

The Rose Bowl was among the 10 sites selected Thursday to host next year's Copa America Centenario tournament, and venue officials have privately said that they are "hopeful Mexico plays at least one of its games in Pasadena," according to Kevin Baxter of the L.A. TIMES. The venue has "applied for permission to stage four matches" (L.A. TIMES, 11/20). In N.Y., Andrew Das writes Copa America "could serve as an important test run for U.S. Soccer" as it "considers making a bid" to host the FIFA World Cup in '26. Bidding for that tournament is "expected to begin next year after it was delayed amid the FIFA corruption scandal." The Copa America "doubles as the South American championship and has always been held on that continent." Three of the stadiums selected "are home to teams in MLS, which confirmed Thursday that it was considering pausing league play for part of the tournament." Another issue is that "about half the stadiums have artificial playing surfaces, which, while approved for use by FIFA for international matches, are traditionally replaced by grass for top-level matches." U.S. Soccer on Thursday said that it "would install grass in all stadiums" for the event (N.Y. TIMES, 11/20). In Chicago, Brian Sandalow notes Soldier Field "will likely host multiple games in the tournament, though the final is expected to be played at MetLife Stadium (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 11/20).