The 2013 Gold Cup is not nearly hoisting a trophy or getting nearer to the 2017 Confederations Cup. It is about American gamers combating for seats on the airplane to Brazil. Right here is our mid-tournament take.
BY
Daryl Grove
Posted
July 18, 2013
12:20 PM
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Three Gold Cup video games down and, assuming the U.S. makes the ultimate, three video games to go. To mark the midway level, let’s step again and check out the U.S.’s victorious Group C marketing campaign. Which 5 gamers most improved their credentials and elevated their possibilities of spending the summer time of 2014 carrying the purple, white, and blue in Brazil?
5. Joe Corona
All of us knew he had one thing to supply, we simply weren’t totally positive what it was and the place it ought to go. However now we all know: Corona has fast toes (his go down the road launched the counter assault in opposition to Costa Rica), a couple of trick, can whip in a harmful cross, and has a knack for venturing into the penalty space at simply the proper second. Overlook about Josh Gatt for now, the U.S. has discovered one other proper winger.
4. Sean Johnson
Beforehand, his best-known nationwide staff contribution was the goalkeeping error that allowed El Salvador to equalize within the eighty fifth minute and price the U.S. a spot within the London 2012 Olympics. And with Nick Rimando wanting completely nice within the first two Group C video games, Sean Johnson beginning in opposition to Costa Rica seemed like a little bit of a chance. However it was Johnson’s late tip on to the bar that not solely prevented the U.S. from dropping, however truly began the counterattack that led to Shea scoring the winner lower than 30 seconds later.
3. Chris Wondolowski
In his first 9 video games for the U.S. nationwide staff, Wondo was goalless—a poacher poaching nothing however goose eggs. And sure, his subsequent three video games have been in opposition to Guatemala’s U-15s, then Belize and Cuba. However in these video games Wondo confirmed some Klinsmann-like six-yard-box expertise to seize six targets in three video games and, due to a kitman error, wrote his title into U.S. Soccer folklore. Sure, he was toothless in opposition to the Ticos, and no, he nonetheless might spend subsequent summer time in San Jose. However the days of everybody—together with Wondo himself—pondering he’d by no means ever discover the again of a global internet are over.
2. Landon Donovan
For those who’ve questioned Donovan not too long ago, you’ve been confirmed unsuitable. Query his dedication? Watching him dash the size of the sector to deal with Cuba’s Martinez ought to repair that for you. Query the affect he has on staff spirit? The camp is a love-fest, with Donovan on the coronary heart of it. Query his effectiveness at 31 years previous? That excellent, one-time crossfield counter-attacking go for Brek Shea to attain in opposition to Costa Rica says in any other case. Donovan is again.
1. Stuart Holden
Absence made U.S. followers’ hearts develop fonder of Stu Holden, so there was a really actual hazard that the midfielder would disappoint on his long-awaited return. I’d have settled for seeing Holden make it via the group stage with out one thing tearing, snapping or rupturing. However in 45 minutes, then in 58 minutes, after which in 90 minutes, Holden reminded us what he can do: Transfer the ball rapidly and cleverly in midfield over distances quick or lengthy, and contribute to the assault with intelligent little chips and the occasional cool end.
Simply missed out
Younger Combine Diskerud served a number of reminders that he has a lot to supply any staff that desires to play possession soccer, Jose Torres provided a risk down the left and proven a knack for accommodating an overlapping left again … talking of which … Edgar Castillo confirmed in opposition to Cuba that he’s not going to defend the left flank, however he’s greater than somewhat helpful attacking down it, whereas each Clarence Goodson and Michael Orozco Fiscal have produced reliable performances in central protection.
Damage their probabilities somewhat
Michael Parkhurst had the chance to seize maintain of the proper again slot this summer time, however has given it up by surrendering possession too many occasions. Tony Beltran had much less probability to start with, however replicated numerous Parkhurst’s errors anyway. Oguchi Onyewu’s comeback path is not less than quickly closed after leaving the roster with an damage. Alejandro Bedoya has been outshone by Joe Corona on the proper wing and so slips somewhat additional down the invite checklist, whereas Brek Shea—regardless of the objective in opposition to Costa Rica—had one of many worst halves of soccer ever seen in a U.S. jersey in opposition to Cuba. We have been all secretly (or not-so secretly) hoping Jack McInerney would terrorize worldwide defenses identical to he does in MLS, however appears Klinsmann acquired a better look and determined the younger man wasn’t fairly prepared but.
OK, time so that you can chime in. Agree or disagree with our picks? Share your ideas beneath.
Daryl Grove is an ASN contributor and the co-host of the Complete Soccer Present, a radio present and podcast for American soccer followers. Subscribe to the present through iTunes.
