USMNT Year in Review: The Yanks' Highs and Lows of 2014

In 2014 the United States men’s national team scaled a few steps toward the rarefied summit of international soccer. But have they hit a plateau along the way?

The national team continued its ascent under Jurgen Klinsmann at the World Cup in Brazil. After being drawn into the Group of Death, the United States exorcised their Ghanaian demons, drew 2-2 against Portugal (albeit after conceding a 95th-minute equalizer) and played eventual champions Germany tight before falling 1-0.

For the first time in their history, the Yanks advanced to the knockout round in consecutive World Cups.

But the United States bowed out to Belgium in the knockout round. The match went into extra time, but the Red Devils controlled the run of play and held the Americans under siege for most of the 120 minutes. Had it not been for Tim Howard’s otherworldly performance—he saved a record 16 shots—the Yanks might have been run off the pitch.

The Belgium defeat became emblematic of the current state of the USMNT: They accomplished so much to get here but they still have a way to go.

With the bittersweet taste of Brazil still lingering on the palate, the United States closed the year with mixed results. A 1-0 win at the Czech Republic in September notched another impressive win on European soil under Klinsmann (in 2013 they beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-3 in Sarajevo, and in 2012 they beat Italy 1-0 in Genoa).

But the next four friendlies were uninspiring. The Yanks drew at home against Ecuador—dampening the festivities in Landon Donovan’s farewell game—and Honduras after conceding late equalizers in both matches. They then went on to lose the final two matches of the year: a 2-1 loss to Colombia in London and a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of the Irish in Dublin.

So where does the United States go from here? Can they cross the threshold and become an international power? Or will they backslide, as they did after the quarterfinals run in 2002, when they failed to win a game at the next World Cup?

Russia is still miles down the road, but questions abound, especially about roster composition.

Up front, Jozy Altidore is young enough to compete in 2018 (he’s only 25), but American captain Clint Dempsey (31) will likely be too old. Could Icelandic-American Aron Johannsson replace him? Perhaps one of the recent call-ups, like 18-year-olds Emerson Hyndman or Rubio Rubin? It's open season for Dempsey's spot.

The midfield should feature more continuity. Mix Diskerud and Alejandro Bedoya are coming off solid years. Michael Bradley is also young enough to be a factor in Russia, assuming he can bounce back from foot surgery and a nightmare World Cup.

Julian Green also figures to remain in the mix, although the 19-year-old has struggled to see the pitch at Hamburg, where he is on loan from Bayern Munich. Whatever the constituency, the midfield needs to improve its ball possession for the team to reach the next level.

Meanwhile, the defense remains in flux. John Brooks, only 21 years old, has played well at center-back but is still wet behind the ears. Omar Gonzalez had a strong showing in Brazil, but the Jermaine-Jones-at-center-back experiment could cut into his playing time.

At fullback, DeAndre Yedlin, Fabian Johnson and Greg Garza are all decent—if unproven—options, and in goal, the United States hopes that Brad Guzan can step into the admittedly big shoes of the now-legendary Tim Howard.

It’s early in the cycle, so lingering questions are to be expected. The Yanks might feature a whole new slate of players by the start of the next World Cup, be they youngsters coming up through the camp or dual-nationals (Gedion Zelalem?) coming from abroad.

But the United States need to start answering some of these questions as the calendar flips to 2015 if they want to reach their target of the semifinals in Russia. The Gold Cup, which takes place in July, will serve as an early measuring stick.

If the questions remain unanswered, the United States could find themselves once again sliding down the rocky slopes of international soccer, searching for a foothold to start the climb all over again.