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The United States kicks off the Copa America Centenario on Friday against the world’s fourth ranked team, Colombia. For Jurgen Klinsmann and the US, the match is similar to their World Cup opener against Ghana two years ago. In a difficult group containing Colombia, Costa Rica and Paraguay, the USA needs a positive result if they are to harbor any hope of advancing to the quarterfinals.
“We start the tournament with a final,” says Klinsmann. “We are going to go for it . . . we are going to try and make it happen on Friday night because it would give us a big, big boost towards the game against Costa Rica and then finishing off the group with Paraguay.”
Put simply, the US are up against the odds this June. Arch Bell, an editor for ESPN FC, believes that the US will finish last in their group. Alexander Abnos, a journalist for Sports Illustrated, doesn’t believe the US will advance from group play either. Expectations are decidedly low for a squad that was beaten by both Jamaica and Panama at the 2015 Gold Cup.
Watch the highlights from the #USMNT's win against Bolivia: https://t.co/34XF551122 pic.twitter.com/hiinzhJVXr
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) May 31, 2016
However, the role of underdogs is a position the US typically excels in. Look no further than the 2014 World Cup and 2009 Confederations Cup for evidence. If the US is to advance from group play and make a difference in this tournament, they’ll need to achieves these three objectives.
3 Keys For The United States At The 2016 Copa America
#1: The Veterans Must Deliver On Their International Swan Song
Could this be Clint Dempsey's final tournament for the US? Photo: @SoundersFC | Twitter
For Clint Dempsey (33), Jermaine Jones (34), Kyle Beckerman (34) and Chris Wondolowski (33), this Copa America most likely represents their final chance on the largest of international stages. Their not all starters for the US, but each will need to seize the opportunity when it comes their way.
Dempsey and Jones are still massively important to the team, if they perform as they did at the 2014 World Cup the US will have every chance of advancing to the quarterfinals. Wondolowski should also have an opportunity to make amends for the sitter he missed against Belgium back in 2014.
#2: The US Youth Movement Must Make An Impact
Can Christian Pulisic make an impact for the US? Photo: @ESPNFC | Twitter
Bobby Wood, Gyasi Zardes, DeAndre Yedlin and Christian Pulisic are all players that are pushing USA veterans for starting positions. In friendlies against Puerto Rico and Bolivia, the youth movement of the USA made a massive difference by playing without fear and making immediate impacts when used.
In front of massive crowds and lining up against some of the world’s best players, they’ll need to provide more of the same when called upon. Wood, in the absence of the injured Jozy Altidore, has a chance to cement his place in the US squad. Pulisic, the next big thing in American soccer, could become one of the biggest stories of the summer should he impress throughout June.
#3: Jurgen Klinsmann Must Prove That He’s A Top Manager
Jurgen Klinsmann has another opportunity to prove he's the right man for the job. Photo: @ussoccer | Twitter
At the Gold Cup, the United States is so heavily favored that teams must alter their tactics to disrupt their play. The US can simply play their game with their favored formation at that particular tournament. At this summer’s Copa, the US will need to formulate a plan based on what their opponents will do.
Klinsmann has regularly used a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 formation, but the team has found success and balance with a 4-3-3 formation of late. The positioning of Michael Bradley has often been a subject of debate amongst supporters, with many believing that he’s often employed too far up the field for the US.
Klinsmann must find a recipe for success for the US and stick to it. “The advantage of 4-3-3 in that way is that it turns into a 4-5-1 defensively — that makes us a little more compact and [it’s] easier then to press the ball,” says Klinsmann. “So you can put it together the way you prefer — it’s definitely an option that we enjoy.”
The US squad is deep, with a promising blend of experience and youth. The oft-criticized Klinsmann will need to find the right balance and prove, once and for all, that he’s the right man for the job.
US 2016 Copa America Schedule
Photo: @worldsoccershop | Twitter
Matchday 1:
United States vs. Colombia
June 3, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara
9:30 PM ET on FS1 and Univision
Matchday 2:
United States vs. Costa Rica
June 7, Soldier Field, Chicago
8:00 PM ET on FS1 and UniMAS
Matchday 3:
United States vs. Paraguay
June 11, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
7:00 PM ET on FS1 and UniMAS
Follow me on Twitter: @ConmanFleming
