Who knows what to expect with Klinsmann at the helm, but my expectation is that we'll lose to Colombia 2-1 or 3-1, narrowly beat Costa Rica 2-1, and tie Paraguay. I think we'll advance to the quarterfinals as the runner up in our group (with 4 points) and likely lose to Brazil. I do think 7 points are possible, and 6 points are entirely feasible, but this team under Klinsmann has been very unpredictable. I'd like to see us make the semifinals. I think three and out would be considered a failure, a quarterfinal appearance would be considered par and moderately successful, and semifinals or beyond would be considered a great success.
I think we will lose to Columbia and Beat CR and Paraguay....enough to advance to the next round and then lose in the 2nd round. But I also won't be shocked if we lay a complete egg and come away with just 1 point.
The young players are starting to step up a bit, and we should have our whole squad ready to go while quite a few of the top South American stars will be still licking their wounds from the club season. With home field, I really think this might be our moment. I feel like we should definitely advance out of the group, and should be pretty much 50/50 with Colombia to win it. Also think we have a better chance of beating Brazil (minus Neymar, Costa, etc.) in the semis than we do of losing to Ecuador or Peru. So while making the semis will be difficult, I still think it's slightly more likely than losing in the quarters. Voted for 3rd place. It's obviously a little on the optimistic side, but I believe the US can get a medal with home field.
Hard question. Before these last three friendlies, I didn't think we'd get out of the group. After seeing the team play well (at least in the last 135min), though, I'm moderately but not hugely encouraged. The formation JK discovered/stumbled on most recently does seem promising, but our group is the hardest one in the Copa. I'm not sure that our relatively recent improvement plus the addition of some bright new talent will be enough to escape the group. Two of these teams are a mere two years removed from winning their group and getting to the WC quarterfinals (though I read a recent news item that Keylor Navas may be out for Costa Rica). And while Paraguay may be on the downswing, I don't think there are easy teams in Conmebol other than Bolivia and Venezuela, so I imagine that match will be a tough one too. I also second the skepticism about whether home field will help us much. If we could be guaranteed stadiums full of fans rooting for the US, that may help psychologically (or at least get refs to give us better calls--this is what studies show is the major positive effect for home teams) but if the last two friendlies are any indication, the level of interest in the Copa outside hardcore supporters is not great. I don't think we'll be outrepresented in our own country but I do think this factor will be a wash. So I think the likeliest option is that the US gets out of the group in second and loses to Brazil. I'd love to be wrong about this, though--either that we finish first and get a kinder, gentler path through the knockout rounds or that we (could it be?) pull an upset of Brazil.
I think they will earn 3 or 2 points and not advance from the group. The page is turning too slowly. It's being met with great resistance, as is often the case with second cycle managers. The new, promising guys, who impressed in friendlies, will not play enough. There are a limited amount of them only beginning to be worked in. Tactical acumen has not proved the strong-suit of our manager and the games will call for different, appropriate approaches and personnel which I don't think he's inclined to adjust to. And there is volatility at certain positions making health paramount. For example, fi Fabian gets injured and the U.S. has to rely on Castillo they are in trouble. I think they should either make the semis or quarters going toe-to-toe with their competitor only to lose on penalties or on tough luck. The U.S. is playing at home, which is traditionally a substantial benefit with overwhelming crowd support or not, and they are typically as good as or better than 2 of their 3 group opponents. There is enough ability in our pool, possibly on the roster on the selected even, to achieve as much or more than our norms.
FWIW, lots of variance and unpredictability in recent versions of the Copa. In 2015, Chile rode home-field advantage to its first-ever title. In 2011, host Argentina underwhelmed and eventually lost in the quarters. Both of those years Peru took third place, while Brazil got bounced in the quarters both times. Bolivia got to the quarters in 2015, and freaking Venezuela got to the semis in 2011.
I voted for the quarterfinal option as the most likely scenario. Finishing 2nd while playing at home really should be achievable, but then Brazil looms in the quarterfinal, an always bad match-up for the US. But, I'll be rooting for more, especially to top the group. Winning the opener isn't out of the question and would be a great spark for a good run. If the US play the "new" 4-3-3/4-5-1 thingy correctly and get a break here and there...
I'll be content with a quarterfinal exit, provided that see improvement in our attack and defense. In a perfect world, the US would at least make it to the round of 8.
I think our squad's results will be fairly predictable...with a loss or draw to Colombia, draw or win against Costa Rica, and a likely win against Paraguay. We could finish the group with anywhere from 3 to 7 points, but I'll say we get at least 4. Our benefit is that the other teams are fairly unpredictable (looking mainly at Colombia and Paraguay). We could easily win the group with 5 points, but I'm predicting 4 points and a second place finish. Then, we will most likely face Brazil in the quarters and lose.
I voted with the plurality of 49% getting to the quarters. But I find it amusing that 23% selecting 3-and-out is also about what I think the % is for a Paraguay win on Saturday, which would knock the US out. I think, roughly, 50% shot at winning Saturday, and my kids and I really enjoying the $60 per-seat tickets (I just couldn't justify paying more). 25% shot at a draw and we'll be OK with advancing. 25% possibility of a US loss and a really sad drive home.