Preview: U.S. Men's National Team to face Colombia in Copa America curtain-raiser

The 2016 Copa America Centenario will take center stage for the next three weeks as the United States hosts a star-studded tournament featuring some of the best players and national teams in the world.

Sixteen countries — including the U.S., Mexico, Argentina and Brazil — have gathered to compete in a celebration of Copa America’s 100th anniversary, marking the first time the prestigious tournament has been played outside of South America.

After months of preparation, the U.S. Men’s National Team will begin their Copa America campaign Friday against a potent Colombia side at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The tournament’s curtain raiser kicks off at 8:30 p.m. CT with national television coverage on FS1, UniMas, Univsion and Univision Deportes. No Other Pub will hold watch parties for every Copa America match, offering fans a complimentary appetizer with the purchase of any beer pitcher.

• Daily Special: Make No Other Pub your home for Copa America

Two members of Sporting Kansas City are along for the ride. Defender Matt Besler and winger Graham Zusi will add to their international pedigree after featuring prominently for the United States at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Besler and Zusi appeared in a pair of friendly victories last week — a 1-0 win over Ecuador and a 4-0 beating of Bolivia — and afford head coach Jurgen Klinsmann experience and flexibility heading into the group stage.

Besler is a center back by trade but held his own at the left back position last Saturday at Children’s Mercy Park. Zusi can play winger in a 4-3-3 setup or wide midfield in a 4-4-2 diamond. Klinsmann has favored the latter formation for most of his five-year tenure as manager, but deployed a 4-3-3 in three tune-up matches last month.

The second half of 2015 was a sobering period for the U.S., who finished fourth at the CONCACAF Gold Cup and lost to Mexico in the CONCACAF Cup. However, the Yanks have rebounded with wins in their last four games, including a World Cup qualifying victory over Guatemala in which Zusi sealed his return to the squad with a goal. Emerging talents Christian Pulisic, Darlington Nagbe and Bobby Wood have shown promise, with all three scoring in last month’s friendlies. The 17-year-old Pulisic became the youngest goal scorer in U.S. Soccer’s modern era last Saturday at Children’s Mercy Park. Wood, 23, will look to fill the void left by injured forward Jozy Altidore.

#USAvCOL: COPA AMERICA BY THE NUMBERS

The Copa America Centenario poses the toughest test for Jurgen Klinsmann’s men since the 2014 World Cup. No. 3 Colombia, No. 23 Costa Rica and No. 44 Paraguay have all reached the World Cup quarterfinals within the last six years, making Group A arguably the toughest draw in the competition. 

Colombia currently holds its highest-ever FIFA ranking at No. 3, and Los Cafeteros enter Friday with a collection of world-class players. Captain James Rodriguez broke out during the 2014 World Cup, winning the tournament’s Golden Boot, and has subsequently scored 25 goals over the last two seasons for Spanish giants Real Madrid. AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca and Juventus winger Juan Cuadrado offer pace and aggression in attack, while Cristian Zapata and Jeison Murillo anchor a defense that conceded just one goal in four games during the 2015 Copa America.

Following Friday's opener, the U.S. will travel to Chicago for a meeting with fellow CONCACAF foes Costa Rica. Colombia stays in California to face Paraguay at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

COPA AMERICA CENTENARIO GROUP A SCHEDULE