The Gold Cup should be used as an opportunity to break in some new blood to the senior team and see how some young players handle International Tournaments the year before the World Cup. With the new format, not winning this edition still leaves the US with the opportunity to win in 2015 and have a chance to go to the 2017 Confederations Cup.
So I begin with giving Boyd an opportunity to work as a target striker with speed on the wings in Agudelo and Gatt. Gil's been the best US player at the U20 WC, so its time to see if he's ready to take a step up to the next level. Behind them are two CM's with senior level experience to work in the Bradley-Jones roles. Corona would work on getting forward more and linking with Gil while Williams would sit in the #6 role that he's had flashes of quality in. The back four is an opportunity to cap-tie Brooks and John, also giving the US probably the tallest CB pairing in the tournament. Castillo needs more time with the team at LB and has done very well at times. His combining with Agudelo could be the most dynamic of any time in the tournament. Because Gatt is all go and no slow, he needs a decently veteran RB behind him, and so I'd give Lichaj an opportunity to show he should be there. Guzan gives a strong, veteran voice in goal with a good sense of organization.
Copyright ©2012-25 American Soccer Now LLC
Nate Snell
over 11 years
The Gold Cup should be used as an opportunity to break in some new blood to the senior team and see how some young players handle International Tournaments the year before the World Cup. With the new format, not winning this edition still leaves the US with the opportunity to win in 2015 and have a chance to go to the 2017 Confederations Cup. So I begin with giving Boyd an opportunity to work as a target striker with speed on the wings in Agudelo and Gatt. Gil's been the best US player at the U20 WC, so its time to see if he's ready to take a step up to the next level. Behind them are two CM's with senior level experience to work in the Bradley-Jones roles. Corona would work on getting forward more and linking with Gil while Williams would sit in the #6 role that he's had flashes of quality in. The back four is an opportunity to cap-tie Brooks and John, also giving the US probably the tallest CB pairing in the tournament. Castillo needs more time with the team at LB and has done very well at times. His combining with Agudelo could be the most dynamic of any time in the tournament. Because Gatt is all go and no slow, he needs a decently veteran RB behind him, and so I'd give Lichaj an opportunity to show he should be there. Guzan gives a strong, veteran voice in goal with a good sense of organization.