#gold cup
The U.S. demonstrated just how deep this squad is during their run to the Gold Cup title.
The Gold Cup played out just about how everyone expected.
The U.S. beat a talented, well-organized Panama side 1-0 in the final, confirming that the Americans remain the best of the group, but that the group nevertheless still lacks in quality. Fans got an entertaining diversion during a period otherwise devoid of important soccer. And manager Jurgen Klinsmann seized on the opportunity to demonstrate just how far the national program has come under his tutelage.
The reaction to the U.S. squad’s showing, though, seemed a bit more unsettled. Some saw brilliance during the three-week tourney, praising Klinsmann’s tactics, player selection and prescient substitutions (both Eddie Johnson and Brek Shea netted goals with their first touch). Others came off a bit more skeptical, reserving judgment for when the Americans face stiffer competition. More likely, as it often is, the truth is somewhere in the middle.
To his credit, Klinsmann navigated the U.S. “B” squad through the Gold Cup. The June World Cup qualifiers deprived him of a handful of key players, forcing the coach to plug those holes without much disruption. But calling this particular team the “B” squad is perhaps an insult to the talent assembled.
The U.S. fielded several players who make their living in European and Mexican leagues. All-time goals and assists leader Landon Donovan also made the trip, instantly elevating the national team above the likes of Mexico, Costa Rica and Honduras. Klinsmann’s main challenge here was not squeezing a great performance out of mediocre players, but selling all those players on his tactics and strategies well enough that he could throw them out on the pitch together and produce 90 minutes of cohesive play.
That interchangeability has quietly been months in the making. Klinsmann faced criticism early in his tenure for using a different squad in nearly 23 straight matches. Those teams were sloppy and inconsistent, often featuring players simply because they happened to be on the right continent at the right time.
Yet while those matches might have been frustrating to watch, they accomplished a larger goal of providing Klinsmann with perhaps the largest player pool in national team history. Now when the U.S. team trots out for tourneys, they benefit from the experience given early on to a wide range of then-unproven players.
There was Kyle Beckerman’s steady play as a pivot in the midfield, a testament to Klinsmann’s faith in him during a string of European friendlies. Brek Shea assimilated right back into the flow despite missing several first-team matches due to injury. Stuart Holden and DaMarcus Beasley turned in strong showings, and Landon Donovan used the Gold Cup to demonstrate why he could become the national team’s star. Even so, the U.S.’s vast roster means Donovan might find himself on the bench when the squad kicks off in Rio.
Thanks to the Gold Cup and Klinsmann’s long-term strategy, there will be serious competition in the defense, midfield and attacking positions when the “A” and “B” squads merge and vie for 23 final spots. Its the sort of dilemma every coach loves, and a luxury few American squads have enjoyed until now.
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Zach Ricchiuti is a contributor and resident soccer expert for Began in ‘96.
