All signs "now point to U.S. Soccer withdrawing as host" of the 2016 Copa América Centenario tournament over "unresolved concerns about legal liability that emerged after several top soccer and marketing officials connected to the tournament were arrested in May," according to Borden & Das of the N.Y. TIMES. The event "was supposed to be a showcase for the American soccer community" as well as the U.S. men’s national team. However, U.S. Soccer officials "will not attend a meeting in Mexico on Thursday to determine the fate of the troubled tournament." One official said that it was "unlikely that there would be a definitive announcement about the tournament’s status after Thursday’s meeting." But the offical added that the two "most likely outcomes would be for the tournament to be staged in Mexico or for a modified tournament to be held in South America." CONMEBOL and CONCACAF officials "are to meet in Mexico City to try to find a way to salvage the event, set for next June." The repercussions of a U.S. Justice Department investigation "delayed the announcement of the host cities in June, and U.S. Soccer officials -- wary of more arrests and their potential exposure in the case of further legal action -- have been seeking assurances about the contracts and details of the tournament before agreeing to proceed as host" (N.Y. TIMES, 9/17).
