March To The Gold Cup Part 1: The 23-Man Roster

The United States will face Guatemala on July 3rd, marking the final appearance before the beginning of the 2015 Gold Cup.  Riding excellent results in friendlies against European powers Netherlands and Germany, the tournament roster contains a wide scope of players including a few who impressed in those fixtures.

Coach: Jürgen Klinsmann (Action Shot Of Him Editing)

The Roster

The names that took you, and me, a second glance to realize were absence are less than expected. Although I had been a big fan of Matt Besler, a name seeming to replace him is logically traced to the name Ream.

Tim Ream, a central defender, is coming off another great season for Bolton Wanderers. This season he repeated as the club's Player of The Year. Having started all 43 matches, this stat has caught the eye of Klinsmann. 

Morris - 20 yrs old - Stanford - 5 (1)

The one name I believe we all would have liked to see was Jordan Morris.  The forward entering his senior season at Stanford University could have benefited from the experience, regardless of playing time. However, the first active college player to ever receive a senior US cap will feature in selections heading into the World Cup 2018. He was the supplier on Bobby Wood's winner against the Netherlands and awed defense with a dummy before Wood struck the following game against Germany.


What We Know Going Into Gold Cup 2015

The roster contains talented youth.  Take Ventura Alvarado for example.  The 22 year old has experience in big tournaments having started both legs of the 2014 Liga MX Apentura Liguilla final, which his Club America won 3-1 on aggregate.  His confidence is reflected in his recent play as he adjusts to the speed of international football.  John Brooks became an American hero during the 2014 World Cup while being in the infancy of his international career.  Other names will get to later.

The roster contains former Gold Cup winners and World Cup veterans.  Omar Gonzalez, Mix Diskerud, Kyle Beckerman, Chris Wondolowski, Alejandro Bedoya and Nick Rimando were a part of the 2013 Gold Cup squad. Searching for what would be their sixth title, experience will be key facing gritty Group A opponents such as Honduras.  In addition, the roster also boasts 17 returners from the 2014 World Cup, highlighted by midfield anchor Michael Bradley.

Brad Guzan will stand in for Tim Howard who was granted a leave from the team.  Asking to be held out of play until the later stages of this year, the anchor of the defense will now shift to Guzan.  The 30-year old made 102 saves and 9 clean sheets for Aston Villa during the 2014-15 season and has developed into a starting role challenger.

What We COULD See

The roster has given Klinsmann depth tactically, formation and style wise.  For those who have watched him grow Aron Johansson's emergence is no shock.  The forward options of himself, Dempsey, Jozy Altidore and Chris Wondolowski allow for shifting of attacking shapes.  The midfield has depth to model with these shapes, revolving around how Michael "The Maestro" Bradley is positioned.  Beckerman provides defensive cover, Bedoya can play further up the field while Graham Zusi and Mix Diskerud are good no matter where they play.  Do not be surprised to see Jürgen Klinsmann play multiple formations such as the 4-4-2 (Diamond) and 4-3-1-2 (Bradley/Dempsey 1).

Questions do remain surrounding who are the best choices for the central defense pairing.  Omar Gonzalez is the most capped option and has the ariel presence needed to command a strong backline. John Brooks has become a mainstay with Alvarado showing the potential to bloom into well rounded defenders.  Ream is in full bloom but only has 12 caps.  This tournament will reveal who the frontrunners are to win the starting jobs as World Cup 2018 lures in the not so distant future. 

Using speed in the past has been Klinsmann's substitutional tactic in the past, relaying on super sub DeAndre "Sherdlin" Yedlin.   Gyasi Zardes now gives him another option but as a starter.  He gives them something they have lacked in the first team: attacking speed.  Deployable as a midfielder or forward, he brings an element of pace to the frontline that compliments Clint Dempsey.  This partnership parallels his at the club level for Seattle Sounders FC as Dempsey has the wheels of Obafemi Martins to rely on.  Zardes burst into Major League Soccer in a fashion similar to his climb to the USNMT.  I believe he is deserving and capable of winning the starting opportunity he will be handed.