Tevez dropped for USA clash

Premier League / Editor / 26 June 2007 / Leave a Comment

Juan Roman Riquelme and Juan Sebastian Veron return for Argentina's Copa America opener against a young-looking USA side but Carlos Tevez misses out.

The veteran duo are set to make their competitive comebacks after international lay-offs induced by fierce media criticism, but both players have rebuilt their reputations after returning home.

Riquelme has just led Boca Juniors to the Copa Libertadores and comes into the tournament in great form and he is expected to replace Carlos Tevez in the Argentina line-up, who admitted he would much rather be playing than watching his team-mates.

"Of course, it hurts," Tevez said on Sunday. "I don't want to sit on the bench but if it is for the good of the team then I accept it."

The South Americans are the 1.37 favourites to win the match, with the USA on offer at 11.5 and the draw available at 5.3.

Hernan Crespo and Lionel Messi are expected to feed off Riquelme's service in the Group C clash with the newly-crowned CONCACAF Gold Cup champions on Thursday night.

The USA are without many of the experienced players that engineered the come-from-behind win over Mexico in Chicago last week.

Skipper Carlos Bocanegra and Fulham team-mate Clint Dempsey are both rested, leaving Watford's Jay Demerit as the only Premiership-based player in the squad in Venezuela.

Coach Bob Bradley went heavy on youth in his 22-man squad, with 16 players who have made 10 or fewer appearances for the national team, including three who have never played a game.

The Argentines are strong 1.58 favourites to win Group C, with Colombia trading at 6, Paraguay on offer at 7.2 and the Americans available at 13.

Tevez and co trade as the 2.46 favourites to win the tournament with Brazil available at 3.35 and Uruguay on offer at 11.