Men of intrigue: The Copa America's 7 most fascinating characters

The USA hasn't seen soccer like this since it hosted the World Cup in 1994, people. Now, more than two decades later, a truly world-class version of the world's game returns to the United States. 

The Copa América is South America's continental championship, in which world heavyweights like Brazil and Argentina scrap for neighborhood bragging rights. That's a big deal on its own, but the Copa is one-upping itself to celebrate its 100th anniversary. 

This summer, the tournament is being held in the U.S. and the field is open to teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean. 

Think of it as a half-World Cup. Lionel Messi will be there. James Rodriguez and Chicharito, too, along with Clint Dempsey and the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT).

The resulting spectacle is being called the Copa América Centenario. It kicks off Friday, when the USMNT faces 2014 World Cup darling Colombia in Santa Clara, California. Like the World Cup, group play will lead into elimination play, with the final scheduled for June 26. 

Following these seven Copa characters through June will keep you entertained and up to date. Behold the seven most interesting men in the world, Copa América Centenario edition. 

7. Luis Suarez, Uruguay

Uruguay's star striker became the goat of the 2014 World Cup after biting an Italian opponent. Then he signed with FC Barcelona, arguably the world's most famous club team. If you're talented, employers will put up with a lot. 

And talented Suarez most certainly is -- casual fans know him for his biting, but the deadly striker is one of the world's very best players. He's forecasted to miss the group stage with a hamstring injury, but said to be eyeing a return for the elimination bracket. 

One of the world's best players taking the pitch under a cloud of dishonor just as the stakes ratchet up? We're rooting for that. 

6. James Rodriguez, Colombia

Remember James Rodriguez? The 24-year-old Colombian midfielder danced and dazzled his way into our hearts at the 2014 World Cup, where he took home the Golden Boot award as the tournament's top scorer. 

Now playing club soccer for Real Madrid, he'll be counted on to lead a Colombia squad looking to make a deep Copa run. Rodriguez's dribbling skill, vision and finishing ability make him a thrill to watch. 

5. Christian Pulisic, USA

He's too young. It's too soon. We shouldn't be doing this, including him here. But we are -- we just can't help it. 

Pulisic, a Pennsylvania native, is regarded by many to be the top young American prospect in years. Maybe even ever. He backs up the hype, too. 

The 17-year-old has already made a name for himself at the senior level for powerhouse German club Borussia Dortmund. In a Copa America tuneup earlier this month, he became the youngest player to ever score a goal for the USMNT, tapping home this beauty. 

Pulisic's inclusion on this list isn't to say the slender teenager is ready to make an impact in a tournament like the Copa America -- or even to say he'll get much playing time for the U.S. squad. But from an American perspective, he's definitely among the tournament's most interesting characters to track. 

4. Dunga, Brazil

Brazil was humiliated on home soil at the 2014 World Cup, leading to the immediate resignation of manager Luiz Felipe Scolari. 

Enter Dunga -- again. 

We've seen this movie before. Dunga, a former player, was widely criticized after leading the Seleção to a second-place finish at the 2010 World Cup. But Brazil's sports leaders decided after the 2014 debacle that Dunga was the man to bring the world's proudest soccer nation back from its darkest day. 

Fast forward two years: Dunga is again achieving middling results and again feeling heat as manager of the Brazilian national team, which is among the most pressure-packed jobs in all of sports. With stars Neymar (resting to play the Summer Olympics in Rio) and Diego Costa (injury) missing the Copa America, Brazil is not forecasted as a serious title contender. But watching Dunga try to navigate stormy waters and keep his job does provide drama. 

3. Javier Hernandez, Mexico

Flying high after a stellar club season. Credit: Hector Vivas/LatinContent/Getty Images

Winning the Copa América Centenario in front of countless Mexico fans on U.S. soil would be sweet indeed for El Tri. Better yet, Mexico actually has the talent to dream of doing so this summer. 

Leading the charge -- and shouldering most of the pressure -- is Hernandez, better known to soccer fans as "Chicharito," which adorns the back of his shirt and translates to "little pea." Chicharito excelled for Germany's Bayer Leverkusen this season after playing previously for Real Madrid and Manchester United. 

Just four goals from breaking Jared Borgetti's record for most scores in the Mexico national team shirt, Chicharito could even make history while leading a much anticipated deep run in this summer's tournament.  

2. Jurgen Klinsmann, USA

He's certainly never bashful. Credit: MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images

It's been a roller coaster, to say the least, since Klinsmann took over the USMNT reigns in 2011. Never shy, the former star for Germany promised to overhaul the American soccer identity, introducing an assertive, exciting and proactive style. That hasn't come close to happening yet. 

Klinsmann did, of course, manage to navigate the U.S. out of a deadly group at the 2014 World Cup, and has had other successes along the way. But his tenure has also been marked by lulls and calls for change from the always skittish USMNT fanbase. 

So what does this tournament hold in store? All we can say with any certainty is that it won't be boring -- and reactions won't be mild. 

1. Lionel Messi, Argentina 

He's, like, the Steph Curry of soccer. Credit: Gabriel Rossi/LatinContent/Getty Images

The world's best player still hasn't delivered a major tournament trophy to Argentina. Only increasing the frustration: La Albiceleste lost the 2014 World Cup Final to Germany in extra time, and lost the 2015 Copa America title to Chile in a penalty shootout.

Argentina again features a stacked squad around Messi, including Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain. Meanwhile, the diminutive Messi remains a peerless delight to watch, dazzling with his wizardly ball-control, waterbug speed and cunning attacks.  

Will this tournament finally be the one for Messi and Argentina? The journey begins in the group stage's must-watch game, on Monday night against -- who else? -- Chile.