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Gold Cup Preview

Three Questions for the U.S. Ahead of the 2015 Gold Cup

Don't let those fancy wins in Europe or that 4-0 victory over Guatemala fool you—the U.S. needs to work on a number of initiatives if it hopes to lock down a spot in the 2017 Confederations Cup.
BY William Travis Posted
July 07, 2015
11:00 AM

1. Can the U.S. Blast Through Bunkers?

The U.S. men's national team victories over Germany and the Netherlands galvanized a nation of soccer fans. 

Fearless attacking! Wide-open play! Late game-winners!

The victories symbolized everything American soccer fans want from their national side, including the ability to win games against quality opponents without relying on counter attacks or forfeiting possession.

But what happens when the Americans have to grind out a result against an inferior side that sits back, challenges the U.S. to come forward, and looks to counter?

Friday's tune-up against Guatemala provided Jurgen Klinsmann and Co. a reminder that the U.S. is not yet playing games with the skill and technical savvy that top teams demonstrate. It is one thing to possess the ball by knocking it around the back four. It is quite another to control the game with possession by passing it around the other team’s half and creating quality chances.

Fun fact time: The U.S. won the possession battle against Guatemala, 63% to 37%, yet failed to look truly dangerous offensively until the later stages of the game. Guatemala actually managed to outshoot the American squad 15-11.

The U.S. continues to struggle against teams that put eleven men behind the ball—and it will be facing lots of that during the 2015 Gold Cup.

Klinsmann has shown that he can lead the U.S. to impressive wins in mostly meaningless friendlies against world soccer powers. Now he needs to get his men back into CONCACAF mode and find a way to turn possession into decisive wins.

2. Will the Defense Do Its Job?

The U.S. allowed far too many open looks against Guatemala, especially from crosses and set pieces. Klinsmann expressed disappointment in the back line after the match, referencing chances that “we can’t afford at the international level” that were “too easy, just too easy.”



These defensive issues are not some anomaly—they were evident in the June friendly against the Netherlands too. The dramatic come-from-behind victory may have obscured the defensive gaffes, but there were plenty.

John Brooks and Ventura Alvarado started in central defense for the U.S. in that game and trailed 3-1 in the 53rd minute. All told, the Yanks forfeited 27 shots against the Dutch.

Guatemala striker Jose Contreras missed two absolute sitters against the U.S. on Friday, and most CONCACAF strikers would have buried both of them. Had he managed to put those chances away, the game would have moved in a completely different direction. Other Guatemalan attackers had open looks at Brad Guzan's goal and with a bit more composure the Yanks could have easily conceded three or four goals.

Omar Gonzalez, Tim Ream, Brooks, and Alvarado are all capable central defenders. Klinsmann's challenge is to identify the best combo among this quartet and get them to work together to eliminate, or at least reduce, easy chances.

3. Will Klinsmann Let the Kids Loose?

Klinsmann has never been shy about calling up young, less experienced players. And while it was disappointing to see Bobby Wood and Rubio Rubin left off the Gold Cup roster, there is some logic to Klinsmann opting for CONCACAF veterans who are familiar with the physical style of Gold Cup play.

In the first half against Guatemala, however, a U.S. attack led by Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore seemed sluggish and lacked imagination. Was it just a bit of rust? Or did this attacking pair just lack the pace necessary to create, and finish, its chances. The first half of that match, you may recall, ended with the U.S. ahead 1-0—on a Honduras own goal.

Against Guatemala the U.S. looked much better after Gyasi Zardes and Alfredo Morales subbed in. Zardes, in particular, impressed, notching a lovely assist and opening up the attack with his aggressive runs.

“Gyasi Zardes had a lot of good energy going forward, but defensively we try to teach him, which is a work in progress,” Klinsmann said. “There are definitely good things, and there are things we need to work on.”

So will Klinsmann "work on" these things during the Gold Cup, and reap the long-term benefits of blooding young players in a high-pressure environment? Or will he play it safe by relying on his veterans?

Zardes (24 years old), Aron Johannsson (24), and DeAndre Yedlin (21) all bring mobility to the pitch. It will be fascinating to see if they receive meaningful minutes in the weeks ahead.

This is William Travis' first piece for American Soccer Now. You can follow him on Twitter

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