1	FATher’s Day Gift Guide Make his day with one of these innovative gift ideas. read more...
2	PUERTORICAN DIASPORA Photographer and activist Frank Espada documents decades of Puerto Rican life off the island. read more...
3	Nascar En Español Stock car racing loses the mullet as it changes its image to appeal to a broader audience. read more...
4	top athletes Pound-for-pound, these are the top 50 Latino athletes today. read more...
5	2007 COPA America After huge investsments in infrastructure, Venezuela is set to host the oldest soccer tournament in the world. read more...
6	Guillermo Cañas Following a controversial suspension, Willy Cañas returns to the courts and brings his A game. read more...
7	green DAYS Business leaders, academics, scientists, artists and policymakers from the U.S. and Latin America gather for the first Green Forum to discuss environmental solutions for the continent. read more...

Copa América Venezuela 2007

With an estimated investment of $900 million in new stadiums and improved infrastructure, Venezuela hopes to impress attendees to this year’s Copa America.

The oldest international soccer tournament in the world, the Copa América celebrates its 42nd edition this year. Created in 1916, the tournament was then hosted by Argentina to commemorate the first centenary of its independence. On this first disputed event, Uruguay won the championship over the host country. More importantly, the tournament became the first step toward the foundation of the CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation. As a curious fact, it is the only tournament in which both Pelé and Maradona played but neither ever came out victorious.
For the first time in its history, Venezuela will be hosting the event, accommodating the 12 participating countries. The Venezuelan government invested an estimated $900 million to bring its infrastructure up to par, as none of the Venezuelan stadiums had a capacity surpassing 35,000 seats as stipulated by the CONMEBOL.
After an exhaustive selection process, 9 hosting cities were chosen: Caracas, Maracaibo, Ciudad Guayana, Puerto La Cruz, Maturín, San Cristóbal, Mérida, Barinas and Barquisimeto. Each stadium was remodeled and adapted as needed, or in the case of Barquisimeto, a new venue was built entirely. The construction of the Metropolitan Soccer Stadium of Lara was approved, and will offer seats to 39,275 fans.
While the tournament is for CONMEBOL members, since 1993 two teams from CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) are invited to compete. By doing so, the tournament has gained recognition and a greater audience. This time the guests are Mexico and the United States.
The countdown has now begun, with the inaugural match set for June 26. The greatest South American players will be present to defend their flags and to exhibit the best soccer in the continent.

stadiums
1	Olímpico UCV, Caracas
2	Cachamay, City of Guayana
3	Pueblo Nuevo, San Cristóbal
4	Olimpico José Antonio Anzoátegui, Puerto La Cruz
5	Metropolitano, Barquisimeto
6	La Carolina, Barinas
7	Monumental Maturín
8	Metropolitano Mérida

Exclusive soccer ball
For the first time in the history of the Copa América there will be an official ball, provided by Nike. The selected colors will be maroon and gold in honor of the host country. The Mercurial Veloci, as the ball is called, is manufactured with the latest high-performance technology.