Next Copa America could have Spain, Italy, Portugal, and France

There’s only going to be one more odd-year Copa America, so CONMEBOL would like to take its last chance to get some of Europe’s biggest teams into the tournament. Globo is reporting that Spain, Italy, Portugal, and France could be invited to Brazil in 2019.

Going forward, Copa America will be played at the same time as the European Championship, so CONMEBOL won’t be able to get European giants to participate again after the next edition of the tournament.

Mexico, the United States, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Japan have been invited to fill out a 12-team tournament before. But it sounds like CONMEBOL would like the 2019 Copa America to take on the 16-team format that the 2016 tournament had.

Since the Merseyside Derby is early on Saturday, here’s Graeme Sharp’s incredible winner from 1984.

Sporting director Monchi will leave Sevilla. He’s been linked to Roma, but he’s considered the best in the world at his job and can basically pick his next club. (AS)

FC Dallas has extended Oscar Pareja/increased the buyout U.S. Soccer will eventually pay them. (Big D Soccer)

Columbus Crew has traded Tony Tchani, allocation money, and a conditional draft pick to Vancouver Whitecaps for young star and likely future USMNT player Kekuta Manneh. (Massive Report)

Li Yonghong has secured a deal to finance the completion of his takeover of AC Milan. (Gazzetta)

Manchester United’s defense is looking very shorthanded after Chris Smalling and Phil Jones both got injured on England duty. (BBC)

Adam Lallana, Jordan Henderson, and Daniel Sturridge are all out for the Merseyside Derby. (ESPN FC)

Callum Rice-Coates on the uniqueness of Thomas Müller and why there may never be another player exactly like him. (These Football Times)

Matt Doyle breaks down the Tchani-Manneh trade. (MLS)

Michael Cox on Arsenal’s lack of leadership. (ESPN FC)

Bundesliga: Hertha Berlin vs. Hoffenheim (2:30 p.m.) — Two entertaining teams fighting for European spots.

MLS: Two games (from 7 p.m.) — A rare Friday night doubleheader. Toronto-Sporting KC kicks things off, but Seattle-Atlanta is the main event.