Jurgen Klinsmann and the USMNT Are Ready for the Group of Death...Again

NEW YORK — Jurgen Klinsmann approached the media after Sunday's Copa America Centenario draw with a bit of a smile on his face and an upbeat attitude. 

If you tried to figure out how the draw went for the United States men's national team based solely on the German's reaction, you'd think the Yanks were in the best group possible. 

However, the opposite was true as the Yanks were again handed the challenge of getting out of the Group of Death at a major tournament. 

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But it was the past experience at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil that kept Klinsmann at ease and ready to take the challenge on again. 

The Yanks will open up Group A play—and the tournament—on June 3 at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California, against a dangerous Colombia side. 

“We take it one at a time," Klinsmann said. "We will do everything to prepare thoroughly for Colombia. Now it’s good to have the teams. Now we can reach out and put the scouting plan together and then prepare the guys for their jobs. Colombia is exciting." 

Klinsmann compared the Copa America Centenario opener to the one from two years ago in Brazil versus Ghana. 

“Obviously it’s a difficult group, no doubt about it, but (qualification out of the group is) doable," he said. "We had a similar scenario in Brazil and we went through. Now we start with Colombia right away instead of Ghana." 

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“Would we like an easier group on paper? Maybe, but no group is easy either," he continued. "We’ll take it the way it is. We’ve done the same with Brazil, and we’re doing it now too. We'll go out there and give it a go." 

The USMNT boss even came off a bit confident when talking about playing against a Colombian team that is likely to include James Rodriguez. 

“We played them one-and-a-half years ago in London, and we had them right on the edge and then we gave an easy goal away at the end of the game, but it was an even game for 90 minutes," the USMNT boss remarked.

Exciting was a word used quite a few times by Klinsmann on Sunday night when describing the group, the tournament and the competition in the squad in the four months leading up to the competition on home soil. 

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“I think it’s hugely exciting because now we finally have the groups," Klinsmann said. "I think over the next couple weeks, people will be aware of what’s coming this summer. It’s huge. The Copa America in the United States, after the World Cup, is absolutely big."

"I think it really gets the soccer people excited and people want to be a part of it," he continued "It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to show again that the game is just getting bigger. This will give the game a huge boost in the United States." 

The key difference between the 100th edition of the Copa America and other major competitions that have handed the Americans a group of death is the home-field advantage they will have in June. 

Finding a way to win in front of the home supporters in a major tournament would do wonders for the Yanks as they enter a vital two-year phase ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and as they try to forget the horrifyingly bad 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The more immediate concern for some players is competing for spaces on this summer's roster. 

“Every tournament is a huge opportunity for every individual player," Klinsmann said. "You want to showcase yourself in the biggest competitions possible. I think everybody put the Gold Cup behind themselves. This is a completely new approach, and we’re looking forward to it." 

One personnel decision has already been made by Klinsmann, at least for the pair of March World Cup qualifiers with Guatemala. Despite poor form and backup duty at their clubs, either Everton's Tim Howard or Brad Guzan of Aston Villa will start in net. 

“Obviously you want to see them play, there’s no doubt about it, but with both of them they have tremendous experience," the USMNT boss said.

"They know how to deal with the situations. They’re going to come in for the Guatemala games sharp and highly motivated. They want to do well. I’m not that concerned. Would it be nice if they had their starting position? Yes, but it’s the way it is." 

No matter who is on the field for June's group matches, the standard has been set for the Yanks after the last World Cup. Now they must take it a step further at home. 

"The objective is clearly getting out of the group, even if it’s not easy, and then we’re gonna go and we have to learn how to win knockout games," Klinsmann said. "No better way than to start at a Copa America." 

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

All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.