USA Gold Cup 2013: Biggest Questions for Americans Heading into Tournament

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: July 8, 2013

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It's not quite a stacked roster for the U.S. men's national team heading into the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and that's all the more reason to raise questions on the team's performance in the summer tournament.

With some of the most famous American footballers sitting out for the event to rest for World Cup qualifying action later in the summer, a handful of young U.S. players will get the chance to step up on the big stage and prove they're worthy of a roster spot in the 2014 World Cup.

The Americans get underway Tuesday night when they face Belize in the night's second and final match.

Let's take a look at the biggest questions USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann will face in the Gold Cup.

 

Can Landon Donovan Reaffirm His Place?



The most successful U.S. soccer player of all time, Landon Donovan surprisingly has to earn his way back into the good graces of the national team.

He missed the first three matches of the World Cup qualifying in 2013 due to a self-imposed sabbatical, and he was left off Klinsmann's roster in June despite having returned to full playing time with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Now, Donovan is undoubtedly the only big star on this American roster that doesn't feature the nation's most well-known players like Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard and Jozy Altidore.

Away from the Americans' best talents, Donovan will have to do more with less and prove that he can take over a tournament with inferior competition. He'll have no excuse if he comes up short against the likes of Belize, even without some of his elite teammates.

Donovan was a real difference-maker for the U.S. in the 2010 World Cup, and they'll have a diminished chance of having success in 2014 if he's not a regular contributor on offense. Much of that will start this summer in the Gold Cup.

 

Which Youngsters Will Step Up?



Some ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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