2015 USA Gold Cup Campaign

[warrior16]

Final Gold Cup Roster (edited 7/14/15)

Goalkeepers (3)

Brad Guzan (Aston Villa - EPL)

Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake - MLS)

William Yarbrough (Leon - Liga MX)

Defenders (8)

Ventura Alvarado (Club America - Liga MX)

DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo - MLS)

John Brooks (Hertha Berlin - Bundesliga)

Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt - Bundesliga)

Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders - MLS)

Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy - MLS)

Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach - Bundesliga)

Tim Ream (Bolton Wanderers - English Championship)

Midfielders (8)

Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake - MLS)

Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes - Ligue 1)

Michael Bradley (Toronto FC - MLS)

Joe Corona (Tijuana - Liga MX)

Mix Diskerud (New York City FC - MLS)

DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur- EPL)

Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy - MLS)

Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City - MLS)

Forwards (4)

Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders - MLS)

Alan Gordon (LA Galaxy - MLS)

Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar - Eredivisie)

Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes - MLS)

Provisional Players Used (4): Beasley, Corona, Garza, Gordon

Players from 2014 WC roster not on 2015 Gold Cup roster (5)

Geoff Cameron- Stoke City want him to take summer off

Brad Davis- injured (left knee)

Julian Green- bad season at Hamburg, inexperienced

Tim Howard- on national team sabbatical until late 2015

Jermaine Jones- injured (sports hernia)

red- indicates player was starter in 2014 WC
purple- indicates player was backup who played in 2014 WC
blue- indicates player made 2014 WC roster, but did not play
orange- indicates player made 2013 Gold Cup roster, but not 2014 WC roster
black- indicates player made neither roster

I think you can sum up this roster in one word: experience. Almost every single one of these players has been an important part of the US squad over the past two years. Klinsmann is clearly taking this tournament very seriously and wants to clinch a spot in the Confederations Cup for 2017. Not being able to use Jones and Cameron could be a problem, but I think the replacements are up to the task. I think this will be the last involvement with the national team for a few of the veterans like Wondo, Beasley, and Rimando.

On paper, Mexico is the most talented team, but that's always been the case, and it's never stopped the US from winning before, so I don't think it will now. I am rather surprised by how many MLS players are on the roster, but I guess that's where most of our best talent is now. MLS has done a fantastic job of recruiting talented US internationals like Jones, and Diskerud to come over to the league from arguably better European leagues. 12 of the 23 first team players, nearly all of them attacking players, play in MLS. An additional 8 MLS players are on the provisional roster ready to be called up. My guess is Brek Shea and Matt Besler will be called up, and maybe Beasley as well. Their MLS managers probably just asked Jurgen to let them play a few extra games for their teams before going off to national team duty. The US shouldn't be troubled much in the group stage, so they aren't really needed until the knockout stage.

[warrior16]

Group Analysis and Predictions

Group A

Honduras- Arguably the worst team at the 2014 WC (I would say Cameroon were the worst), the Hondurans had a lot of improving to do, and they've looked much better under new manager Jorge Luis Pinto, who famously led Costa Rica to a stunning quarterfinal run last summer. They are very strong defensively and not intimidated by anyone. It will be tough to be Honduras down, but I don't think they have enough attacking power to seriously threaten the big three teams. Semifinals at best.

Key Player: Andy Najar, MF

Haiti- Very similar to Jamaica. They pretty much boot the ball up the field and rely solely on athleticism to beat teams. They were bad enough to lose 3-1 to Martinique, which is not even a FIFA member, in the last Gold Cup. Haiti aren't the worst team at the Gold Cup, but they're not a threat to anyone.

Panama- The Canaleros  will want redemption after coming so close to being in Brazil before the USA allowed Mexico to take their spot. The duo of MLS studs Gabriel Torres and Blas Perez up top is very dangerous, but the back line is very mediocre. They won't get to the final this year.

USA- Definitely the favorites heading to the Gold Cup. By far the most in-form and most balanced team in CONCACAF at the moment. It will be nothing less than a failure to not repeat as champions and seal the bid to the 2017 Confederations Cup.

Group B

Canada- This is the best team Canada has had in a while, but that's not really saying much. Still, they will threaten Costa Rica in this group even with a young squad. Semifinals at best. Canada has a good chance of qualifying for the World Cup, though.

Costa Rica- This is not the team that made the miracle run in Brazil. They have two excellent attacking players in Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell, but their back four are beatable. It will be tough for the Ticos the time.

El Salvador- Outside of Rodolfo Zelaya, they have no players to worry about. They'll be happy to get a point.

Jamaica- They have a few good MLS players, but won't present a serious threat to anyone.

Group C

Cuba- Will probably have more players defect than points earned by the end of the group stage. All the good Cuban athletes play baseball.

Guatemala- Marco Pappa is a good player. The rest of the team, not so much. I think they'll make the quarterfinals only because Cuba and T&T are pretty terrible.

Trinidad and Tobago- Kenwyne Jones is a great player, but they will be outclassed everywhere else on the field.

Mexico- On paper, they have the best team in the tournament. But they are on a terrible run of form and just lost two of their best players (Hector Moreno and Chicharito) to injury. Their core of attacking players is the best in the tournament, but their midfield and especially defense is the worst in my lifetime. They should make the final, but they won't beat the US without serious improvement.

Predictions

Group A

                     W  L   D   Pts

USA               3   0   0     9

Honduras       2   1   0     6

Panama         1   2   0     3

Haiti              0   3   0     0

Group B

                     W   L  D   Pts

Costa Rica      2    0  1    7

Canada          1    0   2   5

Jamaica         1    1   1   4

El Salvador     0    0  3   0

Group C

                    W   L   D   Pts

Mexico           3   0   0     9

Guatemala     2   0   1     6

T&T               1   2   0     3

Cuba             0   3   0     0 

Knockout Round

Quarterfinals

USA def. Jamaica

Costa Rica def. Honduras

Mexico def. Panama

Canada def. Guatemala

Semifinals

USA def. Costa Rica

Mexico def. Canada

Final

USA def. Mexico

Third Place

Costa Rica def. Canada

[passion]

I agree with all your predictions except I have Honduras winning third place. I am biased because im half Honduran, but I've seen considerable levels of improvement ever since the arrival of Jorge Luis Pinto. The backline is much more organized, hopefully the attack can follow suit. Honduras has been attempting to find a talisman ever since the departure of Carlos Pavón. Mexico is going through way too much right now to win imo, Miguel Herrera is on the hot seat. The USMNT is the best team in CONCACAF right now, I hope they make us proud.

[warrior16]

Jul 3, 2015 15:18:06 GMT -6 passion said:

I agree with all your predictions except I have Honduras winning third place. I am biased because im half Honduran, but I've seen considerable levels of improvement ever since the arrival of Jorge Luis Pinto. The backline is much more organized, hopefully the attack can follow suit. Honduras has been attempting to find a talisman ever since the departure of Carlos Pavón. Mexico is going through way too much right now to win imo, Miguel Herrera is on the hot seat. The USMNT is the best team in CONCACAF right now, I hope they make us proud.

I think it would pretty much be a toss-up between Honduras and Costa Rica. After watching the Mexico-Honduras "friendly", which was anything but friendly, I have no doubt Honduras will be the toughest opponent the US will face until potentially the final. They will be very tough to break down, and if they can find a goalscorer, they can easily make a run. You can already tell Pinto's organized defensive tactics have really helped.

I think Costa Rica will choke for some reason. They just don't have their mojo from last year. Maybe it's because they lost Keylor Navas.

The only reason I have Mexico in the final is because the 3 teams in their group are the worst in the tournament, so they pretty much have a cakewalk into the final. As badly as they're playing right now, I think crushing those three weak teams might allow them to re-group. I agree that if Mexico doesn't win, Herrera will be fired. The Mexican Federation does not tolerate failure. A LOT of pressure is on Mexico. Their back line is the worst Mexican defense in my lifetime, but their attackers are very good. It should be an interesting final if the US get there. Klinsmann has never lost to Mexico, so hopefully that streak continues.

[beasleyisbeastly]

First off, total LAME SAUCE that Beasley wasn't selected. He is still better than ream and garza. That being said it is good to see ream returning to the roster.

I am actually in Mexico city this week but will still be sporting my beasley jersey. I AINT SCURRED!

I wonder that if USA wins if kinsmann will feel he needs germain jones still. While he is a strong leader and brings more intensity to the game than anyone, I think he is on his way out. (Yes it's sad)

Anyone want to bet klinsy puts in Yarbrough in the third group match (after we've garuntee a second round entry with two wins ofcourse) so that he is officially locked with USA?

Anyway, I predict USA to win every game and meet Mexico in the final. In fact, I hope we play mexico in the final for a little 2011 redemption. Mexico has more high profile players but as a whole, based on recent performances I believe we are the superior team in this tournament. The
confederations cup spot is ours to lose

[beasleyisbeastly]

This game proved Timmy chandler shouldn't be playing. JK needs to get over his beloved German Americans. Timmy chandler was easily the worst player on the field. Starting chandler and Yedlin on the same side of the field is asking other teams to score.

CHANDLER OUT BEASLEY IN

Jozy was pretty bad too. His touch isn't good enough to play the hold up role JK wants him to. He's better heading high balls back across

[warrior16]

2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group Stage

Group A Results

Tuesday, July 7 - Dallas

Panama 1-1 Haiti

USA 2-1 Honduras

Friday, July 10 - Boston

Honduras 1-1 Panama

USA 1-0 Haiti

Monday, July 13 - Kansas City

Haiti 1-0 Honduras

Panama 1-1 USA

Group A Table

                 GF   GA   GD   Pts

USA            4      2   +2    7

Haiti           2      2      0    4

Panama      3      3      0    3

Honduras    2      4    -2    1

Group B Results

Wednesday, July 8 - Los Angeles

Costa Rica 2-2 Jamaica

El Salvador 0-0 Canada

Saturday, July 11 - Houston

Jamaica 1-0 Canada

Costa Rica 1-1 El Salvador

Tuesday, July 14 - Toronto

Jamaica 1-0 El Salvador

Canada 0-0 Costa Rica

Group B Table

                     GF   GA   GD  Pts

Jamaica           4    2    +2    7

Costa Rica       3    3      0     3

El Salvador      1    2     -1     2

Canada           0    1     -1     2

Group C Results

Thursday, July 9 - Chicago

Trinidad & Tobago 3-1 Guatemala

Mexico 6-0 Cuba

Sunday, July 12 - Phoenix

Trinidad & Tobago 2-0 Cuba

Guatemala 0-0 Mexico

Wednesday, July 15 - Charlotte

Cuba 1-0 Guatemala

Mexico 4-4 Trinidad & Tobago

Group C Table

                             GF   GA   GD  Pts

Trinidad & Tobago    9      5    +4     7

Mexico                    10    4    +6     5

Cuba                       1     8      -7    3

Guatemala               1     3     -2     1

[warrior16]

Terrible performance on the whole by the US. Honduras were the better side for most of the match and easily could have drawn or even won it. Alvarado, Chandler, and Altidore were absolutely abysmal for most of the match.

I have no idea why Omar Gonzalez, by far our best center back, particularly in the air, did not start. Hopefully that doesn't happen again. We also really missed Bedoya on the wing. Our lack of wingers is very apparent at the moment. I have no idea why Ethan Finlay, currently a winger for the Columbus Crew, and the current leader in MLS goals and assists, hasn't been called up yet. He is much better than some of our other MLS wingers like Zusi. He will choose Canada soon if the US doesn't swoop on him.

Nevertheless, we got the win and suffered no injuries, which is more than Mexico can say about playing Honduras. We need to improve going forward.

Haiti surprised everyone by earning a 1-1 draw against Panama with a late golazo. We can't take them lightly.

[warrior16]

Jamaica nearly stuns Costa Rica, but has to settle for a 2-2 draw after a fantastic save by the Tico keeper in stoppage time. Great game! Jamaica was way better than I would have thought, and probably should have won tonight. Costa Rica needs to pick it up fast if they want to win this tournament.

Canada vs. El Salvador to follow.

[warrior16]

Wow.

 Update on Cuba: I was half-joking about the Cuban players defecting, but apparently it's already begun. One Cuban player and the team trainer went missing from the team hotel this morning and never came back. The team doctor and head coach haven't even arrived yet from Havana. What a mess. I'm surprised the hardline Cuban government even allows their team to travel to America knowing full well that some men will defect. It happens literally every time.

[rlb2024]

I will be curious to see how many lineup changes occur during the group stage. With games every three days that doesn't allow much time for rest and recovery. It will be interesting when the lineup for the next game comes out.

[warrior16]

Jul 8, 2015 20:28:32 GMT -6 rlb2024 said:

I will be curious to see how many lineup changes occur during the group stage. With games every three days that doesn't allow much time for rest and recovery. It will be interesting when the lineup for the next game comes out.

Yeah. Klinsmann has already said that there will be several lineup changes for the next game. Bedoya would have started yesterday, but he is still recovering from a knee injury.

My guess is several of these changes will occur for the next game:

Omar Gonzalez for Ventura Alvarado

Brad Evans for Timmy Chandler

Alejandro Bedoya (if healthy)/ Graham Zusi (if not) for Gyasi Zardes

Aron Johannson/ Chris Wondolowski for Jozy Altidore

Our lack of depth at winger was really apparent yesterday. Zardes and  Yedlin aren't natural wingers, and it really showed yesterday. Chandler just made so many horrible mistakes, but Klinsmann continues to play him. He's like Johnathan Bornstein was for Bob Bradley. No one understands why we continue to play him. Hopefully that stops for the next game.

It's a shame Stoke City was selfish and made Cameron sit out the tournament. They would never do that if it were an English player going to the Euros, but because it's the Gold Cup, it doesn't matter to them. He could really use him right now.

[warrior16]

First upset of the Gold Cup this afternoon as Trinidad & Tobago stuns Guatemala 3-1. The "Soca Warriors" were up 3 goals in 25 minutes and held on for a great start to the tournament. Goals by MLS studs Cordell Cato and Joevin Jones.

Mexico and Cuba playing right now. El Tri should win comfortably. It's basically a glorified scrimmage.

Mexico up 4-0 at halftime. Outshooting Cuba 29-1.

[warrior16]

Here is the shot chart from the Cuba-Mexico game. I guess you could say 44 shots is slightly more than 3.

matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2015-07-09-mexico-vs-cuba/stats

[warrior16]

Several changes (7) to the American starting XI from the Honduras matchup:

Brad Guzan, Brad Evans, Omar Gonzalez, Tim Ream, Greg Garza, Graham Zusi, Mix Diskerud, Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey, Aron Johannsson, Jozy Altidore

Ream, Gonzales, Garza, Evans, Zusi, Diskerud, and Johannsson replace Alvarado, Brooks, Johnson, Chandler, Yedlin, Beckerman, and Zardes, respectively.

I don't think I've ever seen any team change it's starting lineup so dramatically between tournament games, especially considering we haven't clinched advancement to the quarterfinals yet. But I think a lot of these changes had to be made. Haiti should be an easy enough opponent to test things out. Fabian Johnson not starting is the biggest surprise, to me. We'll see how it goes. Zusi over Yedlin is a bit surprising too.

Since Panama and Honduras played to a 1-1 draw, the US will clinch first place in Group A  and a quarterfinal berth with a win tonight.

Crazy game. Panama led most of the game, but had 2 potential penalties controversially not given. Honduras ties it late in the game and nearly wins at the end. There were so many fights, disruptions, and "injuries" that the ref had to award 8 minutes of stoppage time, the most I've ever seen. A Panama player was sent off just before the final whistle for dissent. Both teams leave the field very frustrated. Just another day in CONCACAF!

[warrior16]

Geez. Terrible first half by the US, especially the midfield. Neither team has even a single shot on goal yet. Klinsmann won't be happy at all. Expect changes to be made swiftly.

To be fair, Johannsson did score a legit goal that was incorrectly called offside, but the US is still playing horribly. Have to be better in the second half.

[warrior16]

Jurgen's knack for choosing the right sub continues. Zardes comes on for Altidore at halftime and contributes immediately by serving an assist to Dempsey. US up 1-0. Deuce with all 3 American goals so far in the Gold Cup.

Fabian Johnson on for Greg Garza. Not sure why he wasn't starting in the first place, but good sub.

[warrior16]

US wins 1-0 to clinch first in the group, but another terrible performance. Getting outshot 21-6 by Haiti is embarrassing and absolutely unacceptable. Midfield must be better if we want to beat any of the good teams. Diskerud was just dreadful. Had no positional awareness whatsoever. No idea why Klinsmann let him play the full 90 today.

The only area I saw improvement from the last game was the back four. Everywhere else on the field was appalling.

[thebirdstheword]

Seems to me like the US are struggling to cope with the physicality and pace of their opponents early on. Both Haiti and Honduras looked dangerous on the counter attack throughout the game, but despite not playing up to par we have already advanced out of group and can now rest some key players. I still fully expect us to win out and lift the cup.

Sent from my SM-G900V using proboards

[cajunfit]

Unless the men pull what the women did after their group stage, I don't see us winning this. We looked pathetic, and Honduras and Haiti should have won those games. Klinsman moves his lineup around more than LvG did for Man United last year.

The formula seems to be that we look like crap vs pressing teams, get outplayed in the midfield, and If we can weather the storm with luck and Guzan, Dempsey saves the day and we get 3 points with an unconvincing win. Yes I understand that it is all that really matters but after watching Jill Ellis botch the first 3 games with her lineup and tactics, you can see that people DO care about style of play and worry about how to make it work better. Ellis eventually got it right. Let's hope Klinnsy does too.