Best Matches of Copa America Centenario: Group Stage

The celebratory 100th Copa America starts on Friday, and although it won't be as intense as the Euro's (starting next week), it should promise to be interesting at the least. And while Neymar isn't making the trip, many other big stars, including Suarez, Messi and Aguero will be at the tournament. Teams, particularly the South Americans, may not see the Centenario as a must win deal, but they do see it as a potentially nice trophy (especially Argentina, who can't be picky after 23 years without a senior trophy).

The three weeks of the group stage are packed with interesting games, and as the tournament gets going and we see how teams are playing, there could be more and more. I'm looking at what *right now* are the best games of the group stage.

USA v. Colombia (June 3rd, 9:30)
The opening match of the tournament, in Santa Clara. USA have tons to prove, as the hosts and in general. Obviously, as host nation, USA wants to put out a good showing, and prove to the South Americans that they can run with real teams. This tournament also provides a good chance to build on the success of the 2014 World Cup, when the US barely lost in the Round of 16, 2-1 to Belgium in extra time.

For Jurgen Klinsmann though, this tournament provides a chance to relieve some pressure. Between a fourth place finish at the Gold Cup last summer, losing the chance to automatically qualify for the Confederations Cup, a major goal for Klinsmann, and then a loss in the Confed Cup playoff to Mexico, and then struggles in the early stages of World Cup qualifying, and then the failure of the U-23 team to qualify for the Olympics, 2015-16 has not been a great year for Klinsmann. If the US could make a run in this tournament, and maybe even win it, then Klinsmann would find some breathing room. Winning the first game in a somewhat tough group (with Costa Rica and Paraguay) would be a massive step in the right direction.

Colombia is also looking to build on recent success. Two quarterfinal places, in the World Cup and then last summer's Copa America, vaulted Colombia back into the international spotlight. Although Falcao, Jackson Martinez and several other veterans will be out, Colombia will still have David Ospina in goal and James Rodriguez, Juan Cuadrado and Carlos Bacca in the field. They won't be lacking in talent.

This should be an interesting game tactically and individually. It will be intriguing to see how the US copes with Colombia's outstanding individual talent.

Mexico v. Uruguay (June 5th, 8:00)
This match pits the two front runners in Group C. Mexico, with the easiest travel schedule in the tournament, will be looking to redeem themselves from a bad appearance at Copa America last summer. Juan Carlos Osorio was named manager in October, and this is his first chance to succeed with Mexico on the national stage.

Uruguay, on the other hand, has sent their A-squad. Diego Godin, Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani will all be there.

Both teams will want to beat their main rival for the group in this first game, and get out to a good start. Definite must watch.

Argentina v. Chile (June 6th, 10:00)
Easily the best match of the group stage. A rematch of last year's Copa America final, you can make the case these teams are the best in South America right now. Both teams have also brought the big boys. Arturo Vidal, Alexis Sanchez, Claudio Bravo and Charles Aranguiz will all be playing for Chile. Argentina, on the other hand, will have one of the scariest attacking lineups in the world: Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria and one Lionel Messi. Although they have defensive concerns, Argentina should be thrilling going forward at least.

This match is not just the most interesting individually, its the most interesting tactical battle. Chile, with the Biesla-esque tactics, is always fun to watch. How Tata Martino meshes all of Argentina's talent, where he places Messi, and whether he tries to adopt the higher, more aggressive system that Messi has thrived under at Barcelona are all issues Martino needs to deal with. This tournament should give him good preparation to experiment, looking forward to the 2018 World Cup.

Honorable Mentions
USA v. Costa Rica (June 7th, 8:00), Argentina v. Panama (June 10th, 9:30) and Colombia v. Costa Rica (June 11th, 9:00) are all interesting matches. Costa Rica will be looking to prove that their performance at the World Cup in 2014 was not a fluke, and Panama will be looking to build on a strong 3rd place at last summer's Gold Cup. Some matches may be fun blowouts, like several of Brazil's potential games, and some may end up close (Brazil v. Peru, Mexico v. Venezula).

One last mention for the potential quarterfinal draws. If Mexico and Uruguay come out of Group C, and Chile and Argentina from Group D, then we are facing some fantastic quarterfinals. We'll see any combination of Mexico/Uruguay v. Chile/Argentina in the quarterfinals, and both will be amazing. Something to look forward to there.

Overall, I'm very excited for this tournament. As a soccer fan, it's a top to bottom interesting tournament. With all the major South American teams, and most of them trying, in it, as well as good CONCACAF teams, it won't be a joke.

As an American, I'm pumped. This is a great chance for players to prove themselves (looking at you, Christian Pulisic). It's a great chance for the team overall to prove themselves. Great chance for Jurgen to relive pressure. Great chance to prep for the Confederations Cup World Cup in 2018. Great chance to finally nail down a system that works, and a rough XI that fits into it. Good chance to test ourselves against big teams, something we'll miss since the whole Gold Cup thing didn't work out.

It should be a fun sideshow to the Euro's, but it'll be more than just a sideshow. This is gonna be a fun summer of soccer.