Analyzing USMNT's Best and Worst-Case Scenarios for Copa America Centenario Draw

One of the most important parts of the United States men's national team's 2016 calendar is June's Copa America Centenario that is being played on home soil.

The Yanks already know where they will be playing and what group they are in, but they won't know their group-stage opponents until Sunday night, when the draw takes place inside the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. 

All we know right now is the USMNT will open Group A at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on June 3, then play at Soldier Field in Chicago four days later and conclude the group phase at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on June 11. 

If recent history repeats itself, the balls will not present the Yanks with an easy slate of contests, but fans of the team are hoping for an easier draw this time around in a major competition. 

Below we look at the best- and worst-case scenarios the Yanks face for Sunday's draw. 

Best-Case Scenario

Given the high level of talent across CONMEBOL, the Yanks are going to face a strong opponent from Pot 2. Luckily, Brazil, Argentina and CONCACAF foe Mexico are seeded teams and spread across the four groups already. 

However, Pot 2 could hand the USMNT a rough opening matchup in the form of either Chile, Colombia, Ecuador or Uruguay. 

All four teams possess a ton of quality, and each of the sides could run rampant against the USMNT back four. Imagining Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani running at the USMNT defense should give every American fan nightmares. 

Ecuador is one of the top in-form sides in South America at the moment as La Tricolor lead CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying with 12 points through four games. Chile and Colombia are no slouches either, but one of those two sides would be preferred by the Yanks. 

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With a new manager in charge and a Copa America title from 2015 in their trophy case, Chile could be poised for a letdown in the United States come June. Colombia is also a tad vulnerable right now since they only have one win in four World Cup qualifying matches. 

No matter which way you try to spin it, the Yanks will have trouble with their South American opponent from Pot 2. All they can do is hope that they don't get paired with Uruguay. 

The obvious best-case scenario from Pot 3 would see Haiti drawn alongside the Yanks. It must be noted the USMNT only beat the Caribbean side 1-0 in the group stage of the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, but the Yanks also weren't at their best. A fully fit Jozy Altidore should be able to handle the Haitian defense with ease. 

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When it comes to Pot 4, Venezuela is the preferred opponent from them, Peru, Paraguay and Bolivia.

Venezuela experienced an eight-game winless run at the end of 2015 and earned their first victory in 2016 over a weakened Costa Rica side on February 2.

Closing the group with Haiti and Venezuela could hand the Yanks a good amount of much-needed confidence entering the knockout round, where the runner-up from Group B will await them if they finish atop Group A.

Worst-Case Scenario

Now time for the doom and gloom portion of this piece.

Given the USMNT's tendency to be drawn in difficult groups at the World Cup, we don't blame fans for feeling like the Yanks will get killed again by a major tournament draw. 

If Uruguay is the first team out of Pot 2, that situation could rear its ugly head on Sunday night. Although the other teams in Pot 2 possess their own dangers, Suarez, Cavani and the rest of the Uruguay attack will have a field day with the circus that is the USMNT defense. 

Luis Hidalgo/Associated Press

Things wouldn't get better for Jurgen Klinsmann's men if Costa Rica is the first side to come out of Pot 3. Jamaica and Panama will challenge whoever they face in the tournament, but they are nowhere close to being the best side in North America. 

One could argue—and make a strong case—that the Ticos are the best CONCACAF team equipped to make a long run in the competition due to their playing style and their deep run to the quarterfinals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. 

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When you look at Pot 4, all four of the teams don't look too dangerous at first glance, but there are a few giant-killers in the mix.

The team the Yanks absolutely want to avoid is Paraguay. Ramon Diaz's team sit fourth in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table through four matches, and they advanced all the way to the semifinals of last year's Copa America in Chile. 

If the Yanks end up with Uruguay, Costa Rica and Paraguay in their group, the fight to advance to the knockout round could end up being a massive struggle. 

Joe Tansey covers U.S. Soccer for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter, @JTansey90.