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U.S. to take Copa America lessons into World Cup qualifying

For Juergen Klinsmann, the Copa America Centenario was something of a finishing school for his U.S. national team, a place for his players to grow in skill and confidence while learning they can compete with the best teams in the world.

“The more they have the opportunity to play these teams, the more confident and comfortable they will become,” said Klinsmann, whose team made a surprise run to the semifinals before getting shut out by Argentina and Colombia to finish fourth in the 16-team field.

“They see that there’s nothing so different. That we’re growing, that we’re getting stronger.