Copa América Centenario is a big stage - and big test - for host U.S. soccer team

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - After all the hype, controversy and anticipation, the Copa América Centenario is finally here. But with just hours left until Friday's opening kickoff, one of the biggest questions about the tournament hasn't been answered.

Just how big a deal is it, really?

It's not the World Cup. It's not a traditional Copa América, the championship tournament for South American national teams. While that event usually has a few guest teams, this one has six from North and Central America and the Caribbean, and they're on equal footing.

Normally, the Copa América is played every four years. This one comes just a year after the last edition. It's being played in the United States instead of in South America. The winner won't go to the FIFA Confederations Cup, an important prelude to the World Cup.

There is, however, a lot of money on the table. In addition to bragging rights and a trophy, the winning team gets $6.5 million.

And every team gets a slice of the biggest pie of all: revenues from TV networks and commercial sponsors across the Americas. For example, the U.S. Soccer Federation's latest budget projects a $15 million shot of "excess funds" from the event.

The tournament has marquee teams and marquee players. It's supposed to feel like a big deal, and for good reason. U.S. Soccer officials want to prove that America should host the 2026 World Cup - indeed, that this country can host any big soccer event at a moment's notice.

Look beneath the marketing-fueled hype, though, and there's a far less glamorous reality.

Fans have bristled at high ticket costs, and many games aren't sold out. Among them are the three contests set for Lincoln Financial Field, where prices range from $50 into the 100s.

Of course, the U.S. team and Mexico will draw big crowds. So will Argentina, because everyone wants to see superstar Lionel Messi. Colombia and Chile play stylish soccer and have lots of fans in America.

But fellow giant Brazil held out stars Neymar and David Luiz because it cares more about winning this summer's Olympics on home soil in Rio de Janeiro.

The Americans take this thing seriously. As captain Michael Bradley said, it's "a great opportunity to play games against big teams. Games that count. Games where everything's on the line."

Last month, coach Jurgen Klinsmann said the goal is to make the semifinals. On Thursday, he backed off that, setting the bar at "to get through this group, and then take it from there and get as far as we can."

Reaching the semis would require winning a likely quarterfinal matchup against Brazil or quietly impressive Ecuador. It will take good performances and some home-field luck, but it's not impossible.

"We understand who we're playing against," Klinsmann said. "Step one is to get out of the group, which we will do."

That quote might go up on a few bulletin boards. The key to proving it true might be whether Klinsmann unleashes the young talents that have brought much-needed creativity to his team lately, especially Darlington Nagbe and Hershey, Pa., native Christian Pulisic.

Will they get significant minutes? Or will Klinsmann pick veterans who are less dynamic but more proven?

"Young players can only grow if you give them time to play," Klinsmann said.

Was that a hint? Maybe not. When asked whether those remarks might signal a desire to play his young players more, Klinsmann quickly changed his tune.

"This is the Copa América. This is about now. It's not about what's in two years," he said. "If we feel like it's necessary to bring a veteran in there to get a result, that guy will come in."

Klinsmann has long said that it's a player's game first, and he's right. So are most sports. But players don't pick the lineup or tactics. Those are Klinsmann's job, as his many critics loudly point out.

If the U.S. does well in this tournament, those critics will quiet down. But if the Americans flop, the heat will be on.

Would calls for Klinsmann's dismissal be too harsh? The answer might be found in the answer to that question that looms over everything here.

Just how big a deal is the Copa América Centenario, really?

Klinsmann offered what might be the best answer yet.

"You've got to prove it," he said of the stage his team is on. "And that's the same for the coach."