Group A

Schedule:  Colombia (Tonight, Levi’s Stadium Santa Clara, CA), Costa Rica (6/7 Soldier Field, Chicago, IL), and Paraguay (6/11 Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA)

Head Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann

Best previous finish in Copa America: Fourth Place (1995)

Players to keep an eye on:  GK Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), DEF John Brooks (Hertha BSC), DEF/MID Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach), MID Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), FWD Bobby Wood (Hamburg), and FWD Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC)

Outlook: There is perhaps no team with more pressure in this Copa America than the United States. Aside from the usual expectations that come with being the host of a major international tournament there is a certain level of expectation from supporters about the work of Jurgen Klinsmann. In short it is put up or shut up time.

On the surface at least there are some things to like about this roster. Despite the clamor for Jordan Morris this seems to be as close to the ideal lineup for the United States for this tournament. Using the right amount of youth (Christian Pulisic, John Anthony Brooks, and Darlington Nagbe) and experience (Kyle Beckerman, Jermaine Jones, Geoff Cameron, and Clint Dempsey).

The question now is can Klinsmann find the right roster to achieve the desired result. Given his past troubles and the recent run of poor form for the United States in big matches that seems like a bit of a stretch. Years of playing players out of position, getting them out of their comfort zones, and changing formations has certainly created a roster of players who can adapt.

The drawback is that there is a lack of chemistry and a lack of identity. Looking at the roster here are the certainties for tonight’s match against Colombia:

• Brad Guzan will start in goal
• Michael Bradley will captain the team and be a starter in the midfield
• Fabian Johnson will start somewhere
• Clint Dempsey will be up top

That is it. Beyond a few gimmes nothing there are far too many uncertainties with this roster. While it is great that Klinsmann has spent time trying new players and figuring out new positions it has created uncertainty within the roster. So it is difficult to really say what this team is capable of.

The biggest question is at center-back. The good news for Klinsmann is that he has a strong number of players who can play the position(Brooks, Matt Besler,  Geoff CameronMichael Orozco, Steve Birnbaum). Given their success as a pair at the 2014 World Cup one might expect Brooks and Besler to take the two positions. But Cameron has had a strong campaign with Stoke and has redeemed himself in recent friendlies. Plus, Klinsmann has shown a liking towards Orozco and given Birnbaum chances in recent months.

If there is one player to keep an eye on over the next three matches it is Bobby Wood. Wood enters the Copa America on fire having scored 5 goals over his past 14 matches for the United States. Leading up to this tournament Wood has shown himself to be capable of working with both Dempsey and Bradley on the attack.

With Jozy Altidore out Klinsmann will be looking for someone to step up and hopefully become a regular ahead of World Cup Qualification. Given his strong run of form and recent move to Hamburg in the Bundesliga Wood stands to have a major impact for this side.

Given all of the unknowns it is difficult to figure out where this team will finish. It would be easy to say that the United States will lose to Colombia, draw with Costa Rica, and beat Paraguay with advancing through the group up to luck.

But with Klinsmann nothing ever seems to go to plan. Given the talent on the roster and a few lucky breaks (Costa Rica losing Navas being one of them) this team could easily make the Quarterfinals. However, they could also bottom out in three matches.

Enjoy the ride everyone.

Interesting Fact: Donald Trump is running for President of the United States. Yes, it is actually true.