SANTA CLARA, Calif. - U.S. captain Michael Bradley said he likes what he sees out of his team heading into Friday's Copa America Centenario opener against Colombia, but cautioned that recent positive results versus Ecuador and Bolivia now "meant nothing."
Bradley said of his team: "It's a good blend of youth, of experience. I think there's good balance in the team, and I think there's big determination within the team to make this a special few weeks."
There were some encouraging signs during recent friendly wins over Ecuador and Bolivia. Manager Jurgen Klinsmann appears to have hit on a tactical plan that fits this current group of players well, and the various roles within the team look to be more settled than at any point during this World Cup cycle.
But Bradley added that the wins have to be put in their proper context.
"We're happy with the way things went in these last two games," he said ahead of Wednesday's practice. "In terms of the spirit and the mentality of the group, it always help, but we all understood that the second that whistle blew in Kansas City to finish the [Bolivia] game, those results meant nothing.
"Now it's about understanding that the real thing is starting and we've got to have the right mentality and the right focus and know the difference between these types of games."
Among the questions that have been answered in recent weeks is Bradley's best position with the U.S. He has spent much of this cycle playing in a more advanced role, but starting with the second half against Ecuador, and continuing against Bolivia, Bradley has operated as the lone holding midfielder with Jermaine Jones and Alejandro Bedoya stationed further up field.
Bradley avoided going into too much detail about the switch, saying that it was up to Klinsmann on how to use him best. And there are some subtle differences between his current role and the one he fills with club side Toronto FC. With TFC, Bradley is counted on to carry the ball out of the back with the two center-backs split to either side of him.
Klinsmann has emphasized that he wants his center-backs to bring the ball forward and then find Bradley further up field, preferably behind the opposition team's forwards.
Bradley insisted that little changes for him, regardless of his role.
"When you look back over the course of my career, one of the things that has been a positive for me and for any team that I've ever been on has been the fact that I can play in slightly different ways in the midfield without it changing what I'm all about," he said. "Again, the main part of stepping on the field and being ready to take responsibility and do everything I can to help the team be successful, that part never changes and then it's up to whoever the coach is to decide how that fits best."
With the tournament about to start, Bradley and the U.S. are about to find out just how good this team is.
"At this point, you're two days away, fine-tuning little things, making sure you're prepared in every possible way," he said. "I'm excited for that whistle to blow."