USA brace for tricky Copa America group

NEW YORK CITY – The U.S. national team may be celebrating the fact that they get to host the Copa America Centenario this June, but they’re certainly not jumping for joy over which teams they’ll have to play.

At the tournament draw on Sunday night in Manhattan’s Hammerstein Ballroom, the U.S. were officially placed in Group A with number eight-ranked Colombia, Costa Rica, and Paraguay. They will open play in what already seems to be the “Group of Death” on June 3 in Santa Clara against Colombia before taking on Costa Rica on June 7 in Chicago and Paraguay on June 11 in Philadelphia.

“Obviously it’s a difficult group, no doubt about it,” U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. “Colombia is one of the top teams in South America, no doubt about it, Paraguay is a strong team and Costa Rica we know.

“Now we start right on our toes, from the opening whistle in Santa Clara.”

Copa America, which is the longest-running soccer competition in the world, features 16 teams, 10 from South America’s federation, CONMEBOL, and six from North America’s CONCACAF.

Group B includes leaders Brazil along with Ecuador, Haiti, and Peru, while Mexico are the number one seed in Group C with Uruguay, Jamaica, and Venezuela. Argentina are the heads up Group D, along with defending champions Chile, Panama, and Bolivia.

Most of the tournament participants feature players who compete in the top European leagues, and that is especially true of Colombia.

Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez, who has scored five goals and notched six assists for Real Madrid this season, is expected to feature in the tournament. Meanwhile, Klinsmann expects whole host of other world soccer stars to take the pitch as well.

“We all want to see their best players,” said Klinsmann, who added he will select his best group of players for the tournament. “We can’t wait to have Rodriguez, [Lionel] Messi, Neymar, all these wonderful players showcasing themselves in the United States. They all have to bring their best teams.”

The Copa America will be the biggest men’s soccer event to take place in the United States since the 1994 World Cup, which for better or worse will widen the spotlight on Yanks coach Jurgen Klinsmann and his players.

Since the conclusion of the 2014 World Cup, the Americans have struggled, both suffering a shocking fourth place finish at last summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup and accumulating an inconsistent record of 9-8-4.

That said, Klinsmann believes the US players are capable of rising to the occasion and making the most of a historic chance.

“Every tournament is a huge opportunity for every individual player,” Klinsmann said. “You want to showcase yourself in the biggest competitions possible.”

Klinsmann added that the primary objective is to get out of group and win in the knockout round, though he didn’t specify how far he expects his team to get. That said, finishing in second place could be the kiss of death for the U.S., as they’d likely have to play powerhouse Brazil first in the round of eight.

However, Klinsmann isn’t looking too far ahead.

“One game at a time,” he said “First or second with that group is both tremendously fine, so you just take it the way it is.”

If you want to reach Julian, email him at julianccardillo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @juliancardillo