The defending Gold Cup Champions have their only test with the 23-men that Jurgen Klinsmann called up for the tournament that decides the best team in CONCACAF. Guatemala, a team known for their strong physical abilities will try to stop a team full of veterans that had a great 2014 World Cup.
After the German manager tested many young players in his most recent European tour, Klinsmann wants to relie on the veterans to clinch their ticket to the 2017 Confederations Cup. The Yanks have shocked the world with their victories over Netherlands and Germany on the road, but the roster for this game is quite different.
One of the most notable names in this new list is Graham Zusi. His last minute goal against Panama in the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers gave Mexico the chance to qualify for last year's World Cup. Zusi was not included in the team that won the Gold Cup, but has become a key element in the USMNT when he gets called up.
Many people thought that Klinsmann would give youngsters a chance to shine in a big stage like the Gold Cup. The former player for Germany and German National Team coach is convinced that it takes men with experience to be calm with the situations that can rise in Gold Cup games.
While Mexico, their biggest rival, has had plenty of games to try and get the group to know each other well, the U.S. has really not used a similar roster to this one since they played the World Cup. Brad Davis was ruled out just days before this upcoming match from the entire Cup.
Guatemala will actually face Mexico in the group stage of the Gold Cup. They are #83 in the FIFA World Cup in the FIFA rankings. That doesn't mean they are a piece of cake for nobody. They are a team that may not look so good collectively but they like to fight for every ball like if it was the last one and their life depended on it.
La Bicolor has only finished among the best four of the Gold Cup over 20 years ago. They hope that history favors them this time around with a new coach. Ivan Franco Sopegno won five titles in the domestic league to earn his spot on the hot seat of the national team.
The most important players of this team see constant action with Major League Soccer teams. Moises Hernandez with FC Dallas and Marco Pappa with Seattle. They also have a few players spread around Europe like Minor Lopez in Portugal.
Fans seem to have faith in the project that the Sopegno has started. They believe that with the Argentinian coach they have a chance to do big things not only in the Gold Cup but down the road in the World Cup Qualifiers. They believe the best way to approach the future is step by step.
USMNT's starting lineup vs Guatemala: Guzan; Chandler, Gonzalez, Brooks, Johnson; Yedlin, Diskerud, Bradley, Zusi; Dempsey, Altidore
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