USA vs. Panama: Americans Showing Surprising Depth in 2013 Gold Cup

Some won't give the United States credit for its run in the 2013 Gold Cup because, after all, this isn't every side's "A" team.

But isn't the fact that the USA's "B" team has looked so impressive a good thing?

It's easy to scoff at the Americans' run in the Gold Cup this year given they haven't faced top competition. Also, the Americans' record in the World Cup the past few years hasn't exactly been inspiring.

But the play by USA's "B" team in the 2013 Gold Cup is precisely reason to be excited about the side. 

Right now, manager Jurgen Klinsmann is faced with a dilemma every manager wants to have. That is, so many players have shown they are worthy of starting that it's a chore just to pencil in a starting lineup.

First, it was Chris Wondolowski who came out of nowhere to post five goals in the USA's first two matches. Then, Eddie Johnson came onto the pitch in the second half against El Salvador in the quarterfinals and headed home a goal 14 seconds later. Johnson continued by scoring in the 11th minute against Honduras in the semifinals after being granted the start by Klinsmann.

That's not all. 

Klinsmann went with Alejandro Bedoya on the right side against Honduras, only to watch the 26-year-old assist Landon Donovan twice. 

That was after Joe Corona had been playing well at the position, scoring goals against Cuba and El Salvador.

That's not to mention the battle in the midfield between Stuart Holden, Kyle Beckerman and Mix Diskerud.

Johnson said, via Avi Creditor of Sporting News:

"

These are the guys trying to push themselves — I wouldn't even say it's an A or a B Team — just trying to push themselves and put themselves in a good spot to make the World Cup team.

"

It's certainly a tough task for Klinsmann. There are only so many starting spots to go around. So far, Klinsmann has managed beautifully, with his starts of Johnson and Bedoya on Wednesday working out perfectly.

Of course, there's the other side of the spectrum. Klinsmann is always in danger of being criticized for which players he puts out on the pitch and when he does so because several players could make legitimate cases on their own behalf.

Again, it's a problem any manager would love to have, but it definitely puts a lot of pressure on Klinsmann. Just like any manager with a talented squad, once people start realizing what a team can be capable of, expectations naturally rise.

So, who will Klinsmann start on Sunday at Soldier Field in Chicago?

He could start Johnson...or he could start Wondolowski. He could start Bedoya...or he could start Corona.

And on and on it goes.

One thing's for sure: A win against Panama in the final would only boost the Americans more...just in time for the next string of World Cup qualifying matches.

You ride this momentum while mixing and matching in September, and who knows what you can concoct.