RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil Goalie Carlos Germano on Friday became the third player within a week to leave the Brazilian national squad, as the team prepares for the Copa America tournament. The Vasco da Gama goalie was forced out by a knee injury and will be replaced by Palmeiras' Marcos, said Vitor Oliver, a spokesman for the Brazilian Soccer Federation. Germano's exit comes just a day after AC Milan midfielder Leonardo left the national team, apparently because he wasn't named captain.

On Sunday, national team coach Wanderely Luxemburgo kicked out Edilson of Corinthians after he provoked players from rivals Palmeiras by ball juggling while his team coasted to victory in the Sao Paulo state final. The Brazilian team is training at Foz do Iguacu, 1,495 kilometers (930 miles) southwest of Rio, just across the border from Paraguay where the tournament will begin.

(AP)