SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- One word that has cropped up repeatedly at the U.S. national team camp this week is "opportunity."
The host country's Copa America Centenario adventure is about to start. With 2016 bringing only two more competitive fixtures -- one against St. Vincent & the Grenadines -- the tournament is a rare chance to play competitive games against talented teams several notches higher in quality than what is typically on offer in CONCACAF. Who knows when another chance to play in Copa America will present itself?
"This is about measuring yourself," U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann said. "Are we capable of competing with [these teams] eye to eye? Can we beat them and make it far in this tournament? I think we are. I think we have the capability, we have the qualities, we have the drive, we have the talent. But you have to prove it."
The first and biggest group stage test is set for Friday, when the U.S. takes on Colombia at Levi's Stadium. Los Cafeteros will have their big guns at their disposal, including the likes of Juan Cuadrado, Carlos Bacca and James Rodriguez. Although Colombia disappointed at least year's Copa America -- it was knocked out in the quarterfinals and scored just one goal -- it has recovered to occupy fifth place in CONMEBOL's marathon World Cup qualifying campaign. For those who put stock in such things, the latest FIFA rankings have Colombia third in the world.
"It's a very good team, an interesting blend of guys who are good with the ball and talented technically but also athletically and physically very strong," U.S. captain Michael Bradley said Wednesday. "We know the first game of any tournament is so important, in terms of finding a way to come away with points. We'll approach this game as if it were the only game we're playing this tournament and be ready to do everything we can to come away with a positive result."
The U.S. enters the match on a bit of a high -- not just because it prevailed against Ecuador and Bolivia in Copa America warm-up matches. The questions Klinsmann faced in terms of tactics and personnel have largely been answered. John Brooks and Geoff Cameron will man the center of defense. A three-man midfield with Jermaine Jones and Alejandro Bedoya on the flanks of holding midfielder Michael Bradley has looked balanced and effective. About the only spots up for grabs are the two wing positions, but it looks as though Bobby Wood and Gyasi Zardes will be providing support for Clint Dempsey.
The U.S. has experienced false positives before, most notably when Klinsmann shoehorned Bradley into a No. 10 role. It was a position that didn't play to his strengths, despite the player's soldiering on. But the current alignment trotted out by Klinsmann seems to have more solidity.
Colombia will pose a massive test, however. There has been talk of the London friendly the two teams contested back in 2014 and how the U.S. played well despite losing 2-1. The reality is Colombia was a worthy winner on the night, with its attack able to operate at a much higher tempo than the U.S. was comfortable with. Colombia manager Jose Pekerman has continued to build on that style, even as new players such as midfielder Sebastian Perez have been added to the mix.
The U.S. will have to be mindful of Rodriguez's whereabouts, especially when the ball turns over. Otherwise he has the potential to run wild, which he did in Colombia's most recent World Cup qualifier, a 3-1 win over Ecuador.
"We know how fast they can transition from defense into attack," Klinsmann said. "They are kind of exploiting space. Within a couple of seconds they go four or five players [in the attack]. It's where they are very dangerous scoring many goals."
Of course, two years is an eternity in international soccer. Wood is a much more accomplished and confident player than the one who squandered a late chance in that 2014 match. Darlington Nagbe and Zardes have grown as well. Christian Pulisic was a mere 15-year-old then. With the evolution of these players, combined with the likes of Bradley and Bedoya, Klinsmann sounded like a man confident his team will score some goals.
"We also see that they leave a little bit of weaknesses in behind as well, so hopefully we can take advantage of that," Klinsmann said.
Colombia has looked especially vulnerable in the air, be it from set pieces or crosses in the run of play. The presumed U.S. lineup has six players with a height of at least 6 feet, so that weakness is one the U.S. is capable of exploiting. If the hosts are able to do so, it could allow the U.S. to get off to a good start and generate some precious momentum.
"We respect them a lot. They deserve respect," Klinsmann said of Colombia. "And on the other side, we have no fear. We have a team that is very hungry. We have players that can match up those players. This is the big stage for Michael Bradley. It's the big stage for Clint Dempsey. It's a big stage for Jermaine Jones. It's what they want to play. You have the opportunity. Now go out there, and play [on] that stage."
Let the Copa begin.