10 Things for USMNT Fans to Be Positive About in 2015
After a year full of elation and heartbreak, the United States men's national team are looking to open a new chapter of their history in 2015.
While an event such as the World Cup is not on the cards this year, the Yanks will still play in plenty of significant matches.
Before they embark on their title defense at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, Jurgen Klinsmann and Co. will test themselves with a tough schedule during the first six months of 2015.
Just like every other 12-month cycle, there will be plenty of star players to keep an eye on throughout the club and international seasons.
Here's a look at 10 things fans of the USMNT should be excited about in 2015.
The End of the Mix Diskerud Transfer Fiasco
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Once Mix Diskerud finally stops playing mind games with us on Twitter and chooses a club, his progression will be worth watching.
Over the last 12 months, Diskerud has become a cult hero among United States fans, which means his every move will be closely watched.
The only fact we actually know about Diskerud's transfer saga is he won't be returning to Norwegian side Rosenborg, where he first caught the eye of the USMNT.
Diskerud, whose summer move to Columbus fell through, was linked with Club Tijuana in Liga MX earlier in the offseason.
Regardless of the destination, Diskerud needs to find a step up in quality from the Tippeligaen in order to turn himself into one of the best American players on the planet.
Whether he does that abroad or at home remains to be seen, but if all goes well at his new club, Diskerud could be a long-term fixture of Jurgen Klinsmann's first-choice starting XI.
Camp Cupcake
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The January training camp for domestic and Scandinavia-based players, which is affectionately known as Camp Cupcake, will be one of the must-watch events of the USMNT calendar in 2015.
In a good year at the camp, one or two players will break through the ranks and become a key contributor to the first team.
This time around, it is expected that some of the great young talent from Major League Soccer will receive looks from Klinsmann in order to see how they react to the international level.
Expect a few veterans such as Chris Wondolowski and Kyle Beckerman to show up in January as well, but the real focus will be on guys such as Wil Trapp, Bill Hamid and others who had a terrific 2014 campaign on home soil.
If certain players impress enough during the first month of 2015, we could see some fresh faces star at the Gold Cup this summer.
The Bountiful Goalkeeping Scenario
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Goalkeeper has always been the deepest position on the United States depth chart, which hasn't changed heading into 2015.
Even with Tim Howard on a one-year international break, the Yanks have Brad Guzan, Nick Rimando and Bill Hamid to call on for every first-team roster.
Behind that trio is Sean Johnson, Cody Cropper, Zac MacMath and Zack Steffen, all of whom have the potential to make a real impact in the future at the international level.
Guzan enters 2015 as the first-choice 'keeper, but Hamid and Rimando are close behind him.
Hamid earned a start against the Republic of Ireland in the final friendly of 2014, while Rimando got better as the MLS season went on at Real Salt Lake.
Regardless of the quality of the outfield players on each roster, the Yanks will be able to count on their starting goalkeeper no matter who it is.
Home Matches Against CONCACAF Rivals
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The Yanks have two confirmed home matches on their 2015 schedule so far, with Panama and Mexico being the opposition for those clashes.
We can assume that an all-domestic roster will be used for the February 8 match at StubHub Center against Panama, since the match does not fall on a FIFA date.
The Mexico match, scheduled for April 15, does not have a site yet, but there are a few select MLS stadiums that would make terrific hosts. We're talking about you, Seattle, Portland and Kansas City.
No matter where the game is played, we should expect an intense match between the two CONCACAF rivals who will be the two favorites to reach the Gold Cup final.
That match may also see a ton of domestic-based players feature, as it does not align with the FIFA calendar.
With two games scheduled outside of the FIFA window, the only two home games for the Yanks before the Gold Cup should present MLS and Liga MX players with a chance to thrive in key matches against continental foes.
CONCACAF Champions League Knockout Round
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The United States have dominated almost every aspect of CONCACAF over the last decade except for the CONCACAF Champions League.
MLS has produced just a single finalist in the six years of the current format, Real Salt Lake in 2011. In this year's edition of the tournament, D.C. United will fly the flag high for the United States after the New York Red Bulls, Portland Timbers and Sporting Kansas City all crashed out at the group stage.
D.C.'s two-legged quarterfinal against Alajuelense of Costa Rica takes place on February 26 and March 4, which is right before the start of the MLS season.
If the Black and Red have a strong preseason camp, the likes of Hamid, Perry Kitchen and Eddie Johnson could be poised to lead the club to the semifinals.
During most of the 2014 league campaign, manager Ben Olsen fielded a side full of young and old American players. Although the competition may not be taken too seriously by the American soccer-viewing public, it is worth keeping an eye on because of the heavy American influence in the D.C. squad.
High-Quality Friendlies Against European Opposition
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Keeping with his strategy of playing the best sides in the world in friendlies, Klinsmann will take his side to Denmark, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands during the first six months of 2015.
The Yanks will embark on a trip to Denmark and Switzerland at the end of March before they visit Amsterdam and Cologne in June for matches against two of the best sides in the world.
These four matches will be yet another test put forth by Klinsmann to see where his side stands against quality European opponents.
In four matches in Europe in 2014, the Yanks won one and lost three. They also fell to Germany and Belgium in Brazil after their 2-2 draw with Portugal.
Using that record as a motivating factor, the United States should be able to squeak out a few positive results with their first-choice squad.
The four matches will also give us a look into the mind of Klinsmann, who has a habit of using his players in different positions. The two key adjustments to watch in these matches will be Jermaine Jones at center-back and where Michael Bradley lines up in midfield.
Gold Cup Title Defense
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After they venture into Europe in March and June, the United States will return to home soil to defend their Gold Cup title.
The Yanks cruised to the title in 2013, thanks to dominant showings in each match and the lack of quality in the Mexican side. Although they were pushed to the brink by Panama in the final, the Yanks eventually pulled away by way of a Brek Shea goal.
Based off the challenging hexagonal round in World Cup qualifying and Mexico and Costa Rica's impressive outings in Brazil, the competition should be stiffer in 2015.
The Yanks do not have to win the tournament to qualify for the FIFA Confederations Cup. If they are eliminated, they will face the 2015 winner in a one-game playoff for the CONCACAF berth.
Despite not being under a ton of pressure in regards to the Confederations Cup berth, the Yanks will still look to come out strong against their continental rivals to hoist the trophy for the second consecutive time.
The Forwards Behind Jozy Altidore on the Depth Chart
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United States fans hope plenty of questions will be answered at the forward position in 2015.
Regardless of his play, or lack thereof, at Sunderland, Jozy Altidore is still a known quantity. While he does leave many wanting more out of his play at times, he is still a strong scorer with solid hold-up skills when he is at his best.
Below Altidore on the forward depth chart are a bunch of young players and experienced scorers fighting to be his No. 2.
Despite some of the uncertainty surrounding the position, there are plenty of players to get excited about in 2015. The main one to watch may be Rubio Rubin, who broke out for the national team in October.
Another name to keep an eye on is AZ's Aron Johannsson. He had a ton of success in front of goal for the Dutch side last season, but he hasn't made a lasting mark on the international level yet.
With players such as Rubin, Bobby Wood and Jordan Morris challenging for spots on the USMNT roster at present, Johannsson must find a way to score at both levels to keep his spot behind Altidore on the depth chart.
As for the experienced players, Chris Wondolowski will always be around because of his club form, while Eddie Johnson is in need of a bounce-back season with D.C. United in 2015.
Jermaine Jones
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Remember when we used to rag on Jermaine Jones for being an inconsistent yellow-card machine?
Those criticisms have escaped the minds of United States fans recently, thanks to the midfielder's terrific World Cup and debut in MLS with New England. Jones even packed a punch at center-back in the final friendlies of 2014.
With a splendid 2014 behind him, Jones will now look to improve his form with a new challenge at his feet. The 33-year-old is still expected to play in a holding midfield role for the Revolution, but he has been moved to center-back by Klinsmann at international level.
If he can balance the two positions and perform well in both, Jones could end 2015 as the best active American soccer player on the planet.
Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley and a few others may have something to say about that, but that is how much potential Jones still has at the age of 33.
Gedion Zelalem
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While we're on the topic of potential, let's have a chat about Gedion Zelalem.
Right before 2014 came to a close, Zelalem paved the path to be a member of the USMNT by becoming an American citizen.
Zelalem may not be a key contributor to the senior team for a few years, but he is seen as one of the top American prospects. There is a high possibility he will be the focal point of the 2016 Olympic team if his progression continues.
The thing to remember when discussing Zelalem's potential is he is just 17 years old and hasn't yet broken into the Arsenal first team. While it is fine to get excited about another star rising through the American ranks, we need to see more of Zelalem at the club level before we can judge what his true impact on the Yanks will be.
The next 12 months will be crucial in the midfielder's development at Arsenal, as he could earn a permanent spot in Arsene Wenger's matchday squad. When those moments come, there will be no doubt the focus of the American soccer universe will be centered on the young star.
Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.
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