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The powers that be (tournament organizers, I guess) have announced the Copa America Team of the Tournament. While it's not a huge surprise, no United States men's national team players made the 11. Here's who made the cut:
Here is the #Copa100 Best XI! #CopaAmerica #SquadGoals pic.twitter.com/s9Z7c1Bnwv
— Copa América 2016 (@CA2016) June 27, 2016
Eight Chile players and three Argentina players. Those two countries made the final so it's understandable that they'd be well-represented in such an award.
The two Americans who possibly had a chance at making this list (in my opinion) are Clint Dempsey and John Brooks. Yes, I know I wrote an article asking whether or not Dempsey should even be starting for the team, but he responded brilliantly by finding his top gear and transforming into the Clint Dempsey of old. He was sensational in this tournament and I've never been so happy to be proven wrong. He finished T-4 in goals and 2nd in assists for the Copa.
The first four matches of the tournament John Brooks was a man possessed. Good luck finding a better four-match string of defensive perfomances by one player in USMNT history. It may exist, but I can't think of one off the top of my head. Brooks finally lived up to his potential and is becoming one of the USMNT's most important players. The Argentina match likely eliminated him from contention for the Best XI, which is unfortunate.