USMNT Should Make Regular Appearances at Copa America

The 20th anniversary of the U.S. men's national team's semifinal run at Copa America just passed, and during that time, the U.S. has grown as a soccer nation. The player pool is considerably deeper now and can easily handle playing in both the Gold Cup and the South American competition.

Given how disappointing the USMNT's run was at this year's Gold Cup, some would question why the U.S. would play a few of the world's top national teams.

If the USA struggled against Honduras, Haiti, Panama and Jamaica, how could it compete with Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Brazil?

It was clear how much U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann wanted to win the Gold Cup. A direct qualification for the 2017 Confederations Cup awaited the United States as well.

His objective of winning the CONCACAF tournament and making the Confederations Cup is understandable. It gives the U.S. a chance to prepare for the conditions against other potential World Cup opponents.

However, there are several terrific teams in South America. If Klinsmann wants to test his young players and give them valuable experience, facing the Uruguayans, Brazilians or Argentinians would be perfect.

The U.S. certainly didn't improve or learn anything of note after pummeling Cuba in the Gold Cup quarterfinals. Battling Colombia in a Copa America quarter would be worthwhile.

The 2016 Copa America Centenario, if it still happens, would be a blessing for a team with a few young players. 

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I wonder how USMNT will do in the special edition Copa America. Find it hard to believe that playing vs CONMEBOL teams as easy as CONCACAF.

— Scott W. Nicholls (@scottnicholls) July 16, 2015"

Klinsmann clearly sees John Brooks and Ventura Alvarado as his future pairing at center back. While they haven't been convincing, it does take time for defenders to fully develop. The German tactician said as much during the Gold Cup, per Andrew Wiebe on the official MLS website:

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The only way for younger players to mature, get better and get stronger is to grow into these games and have these experiences. Both Ventura and also John, they grew with every minute. There were some situations that were a bit shaky in the first half. In the second half, they cleaned it up. They were absolutely on top of things.

"

Klinsmann also used Per Mertesacker as an example for Brooks and Alvarado to follow. The 49-year-old coach substituted in an uncapped 19-year-old Mertesacker in front of over 120,000 fans in Tehran against Iran.

If Klinsmann wants his defenders to experience something similar, along with the likes of Gyasi Zardes and DeAndre Yedlin, the USA has to play at Copa America. South American crowds are hostile, and their national teams will capitalize on any mistake.

Jamaica accepted an invitation to Copa America this summer. Even though the Reggae Boyz were knocked out of the group stage without a win or goal, they used that experience to their advantage at the Gold Cup.

The Jamaicans made it to their first Gold Cup final and were one of the most consistent teams at the tournament. Trying to contain Lionel Messi is the toughest thing some of those players will do on the pitch, but it worked out for Jamaica.

The USMNT's run in 1995 helped catapult some of the national team members to greatness after the tournament was over. For example, Claudio Reyna was 21 years old at the time, and he subsequently became of the best American players of all time.

It also gave a relatively inexperienced national team some extra confidence against established nations.

Klinsmann can compose a Copa America roster with his best squad, then add a "B" team for the Gold Cup. If it worked in 2007, it's manageable now.

CONCACAF has improved since 2007, but realistically, the U.S. should be easily make the Gold Cup final. The semifinal defeat this year was inexcusable, but the United States is already an established power. The USMNT also faces these sides in World Cup qualifying.

Should the opportunity present itself, Klinsmann should play at Copa America if he wants his youngsters to be battle-hardened for the World Cup.

Peter Galindo covers MLS and U.S. soccer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @GalindoPW.