Uruguay celebrated winning the most recent Copa América, which was held in Argentina last year. But will the South Americans championships be held in Mexico or the United States in 2016, a year after it’s played in Brazil? (Marcos Brindicci/Reuters)

WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A. – The United States lost out on its bid to host the 2022 World Cup, but it could still end up hosting another major international tournament: the 2016 Copa América.

Luis Chiriboga, president of the Ecuadoran soccer federation, told reporters last week the South American championship’s 100th anniversary is being planned as a celebration and officials are hoping to take the event to a nearby country big enough to host the prestigious tournament’s landmark year.

The top candidates? The United States and Mexico.

“We are going to have an opening so that it won’t be held in one of the 10 South American countries and that could include Mexico, the U.S. too,” Chiriboga told reporters.

The United States and Mexico are also among finalists to earn invitations to the 2015 Copa América, which will be held in Brazil, which is also hosting the 2013 Confederations Cup, 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Recent Copa Américas featured 12 teams – 10 from South America and 2 invitees – but there have been talks to expand the field to 10 South American squads and six from CONCACAF beginning in 2015. Uruguay won the most recent Copa América, held this past July in Argentina.

Mexico and the United States are finalists to receive an invitation to play in 2015, Chiriboga said.

Mexico played in the Copa América in 2011, but the United States hasn’t played in the event since 2007.

“I have no doubt that the obstacles [in CONCACAF] are being overcome,”said Chiriboga. “Mexico's invitation has never been in question. Of the two teams we invite, one is Mexico and the other could be the United States or Japan.”

López completes move to AC Milan

Maxi López is determined not to let his fans down.

The Argentine striker had nothing but promises for his supporters after completing a transfer last week to Serie A power AC Milan from his former club Catania.

López, who was acquired by AC Milan after the squad failed in a bid for Manchester City striker and Argentine national team star Carlos Tevez, had three goals in 14 matches this season for the Sicilian team in the defensive-oriented Italian top flight.

“I am truly happy,” López told reporters. “After all that happened, I am happy to join this great team. I want to salute all the fans of this great club and I hope to repay the affection with all my efforts.”

The 27-year-old will remain on loan with AC Milan until at least June’s transfer window.

However, AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani has not confirmed if López will be the last of the transfers.

“I'm pretty sure that Maxi López is the last of our transfer market signings, but who can know the future?”

Caicedo signs with Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC

Geovanny Caicedo may have to buy a winter coat.

The Ecuadoran defender signed a deal with Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Toronto FC last week, completing a move during the league’s offseason.

Caicedo, 30, last played with Ecuadoran club LDU Quito and made eight appearances for Ecuador’s national team, with the most recent coming in last year’s Copa América.

“He brings great club and international experience to Toronto FC and can compete for a starting position,” Toronto FC coach Aron Winter told reporters. “He is a player that we have been watching for some time and we felt he would be a good fit at our club and in Major League Soccer.”

Caicedo, at 6-foot-2 and 184 pounds, drew the attention of the MLS club when he played for Ecuador at Toronto’s BMO Field during a 2-2 draw with Canada in June.

Toronto allowed 59 goals last season and had a minus-23 goal differential, both worst in the league.

D’Alessandro pondering transfer to Chinese team

Andres D’Alessandro might need to brush up on his Mandarin.

The Argentine midfielder who helped lead Brazilian side Internacional to a Copa Libertadores title in 2010 is considering a massive transfer offer to take his talents to China and star for the Shanghai Shenhua.

D’Alessandro, who has 18 goals in 82 games with Porto Alegre-based Internacional and three in 25 games for La Albiceleste, has reportedly been offered a yearly deal worth about €5 million (US$6.5 million) to move to the Pacific Rim.

“In the last six days we have kept in touch daily with D'Alessandro, also to show the desire of Inter to keep the athlete. The player has a contract with the club and we hope that the situation is resolved within 48 hours,” Internacional president Giovani Luigi told reporters. “I will not talk in figures, but we have made a massive effort because of the player’s quality.”