Copa America: No to Caracas and copas of beer

English-language, Venezuelan newspaper The Daily Journal is reporting that the semi-final of Copa America on July 10 has been moved from Caracas to Maracaibo, “amid fears of protests and clashes between government opposition supporters and police.”

Apparently, people are upset that President Hugo Chavez didn’t renew the license of opposition TV channel RCTV. As part of their efforts to make the tournament more secure, the article goes on to say that the sale of alcohol “in and around the stadiums” will be banned.

The U.S. opens its Copa America campaign against Argentina June 28 in Maracaibo. Then, the Yanks will play Paraguay on July 2 and finish group play on July 5 versus Colombia.

Hopefully, we will see the emergence of some new U.S. stars and not the train wreck many are expecting.