Copa America begins this weekend. What to know about and expect from the US Men's National Team.
See a preview of Copa America below and flip through the slides to see the U.S. Men’s National Team’s upcoming games.
(Getty Images/Kyle Rivas)
Getty Images/Kyle Rivas
Game 1: June 3, vs Colombia in Santa Clara, CA, 9:30 p.m.
The United States kicks-off the 2016 Copa Centenario against Colombia. The South Americans should be the toughest opponents in Group A. Colombia has previously won the Copa America and boasts player suiting-up in Europe’s top leagues, such as Carlos Bacca for A.C. Milan and James Rodriguez for Real Madrid.
(Getty Images/Sarah Crabill)
Getty Images/Sarah Crabill
Game 2: June 7, vs Costa Rica in Chicago, 8 p.m.
Costa Rica plays the Americans in their second match of Group A. Costa Rican goalkeeper and Real Madrid star Taylor Navas is out with an injury, but the Ticos will still field many of the same players from the 2014 World Cup that them advance to their first World Cup quarterfinal.
(Getty Images/Adam Hunger)
Getty Images/Adam Hunger
Game 3: June 11, vs Paraguay in Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
A first-place finish in Group A might be vital for the United States to avoid playing Brazil in the semifinals. A win will be crucial to making the top of the group, and the United States will probably come to Philadelphia needing three points.
(Getty Images/Andy Lyons)
Getty Images/Andy Lyons
Quarterfinals: To Be Determined
In the Copa Centenario, like in the World Cup, group stage winners play the runners-up of another group. This means a first place finish in group A would mean facing the second place finisher from group B. Such a finish would probably set-up a quarterfinal versus Ecuador or Peru, while a second place result would likely draw Brazil in the quarterfinals.
(Getty Images/Kyle Rivas)
The Copa America Centenario 2016 begins Friday night, and the United States finds itself in a competitive group. None of their opponents in the first three games are pushovers. Colombia, Costa Rica and Paraguay will be highly organized and hard to score against. They also have fast, talented forwards who can test the United States defense.
Starting XI
The American starting lineup has familiar names with a few exciting new additions.
On defense, coach Jurgen Klinsmann will probably go with Deandre Yedlin, Geoff Cameron, John Brooks and Fabian Johnson.
The midfield will see Michael Bradley in a defensive-minded role. Playing deep lets him distribute the ball better and seems to be the role where he is most comfortable. Alongside Bradley’s infamous bald head, Alejandro Bedoya and Jermaine Jones should get the start. These three have played many games together in the United States kit.
Clint Dempsey will be the center forward up top, with youngsters Gyasi Zardes and Bobby Wood playing next to him. The three forwards played well with each other in May’s friendlies, and their continued chemistry will be important for the United States this tournament.
U.S. Players to Watch
Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund), and Bobby Wood (Hamburg SV)
Leading into the Copa Centenario, the United States has played well. Undefeated since October, they comfortably won all three friendlies played last month. Young, new players in the U.S. roster like Wood and Pulisic, the 17-year-old from German club Borussia Dortmund, provide dynamic scoring options and will make this an exciting tournament to watch for United States soccer fans.
See the U.S. Men’s National Team’s opening round matchups in the slideshow above.
