Predicting Jurgen Klinsmann's USMNT XI for Opening Game of 2015 Gold Cup
The 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup is six months away, which is a long time in the soccer world. From now until July, a lot will change in regards to player selection for the United States men's national team.
If we are to base the upcoming year off Jurgen Klinsmann's 28-man roster for the annual January camp, the Yanks will see plenty of young talent tested over the next 12 months.
That young talent, which is based both domestically and abroad, will combine with some experienced players to form the final Gold Cup roster.
Although it is a bit early to guess who will start at Toyota Stadium on July 7, we decided to predict Klinsmann's starting XI for the Group A opener.
GK: Bill Hamid
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Although Brad Guzan and Nick Rimando are solid options at the position, the goalkeeper for the 2015 Gold Cup should be Bill Hamid.
The D.C. United star has proven at the club level that he is worthy of more responsibility on the international stage.
With the stakes lower than usual in this year's Gold Cup, it would be wise of Klinsmann to see what he has in Hamid.
He may not be the true No. 1 for a while, but Hamid is the best young 'keeper in the American talent pool, and he deserves a chance to be tested by CONCACAF's best this summer.
RB: DeAndre Yedlin
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After his first six months at Tottenham Hotspur, DeAndre Yedlin should earn the opportunity to shine on home soil for the Yanks.
Although some may see the 21-year-old as a winger, Yedlin's best position for the Gold Cup will be right-back.
Defending is the one key weakness in Yedlin's game, but he will get a chance to work on that over the next few months in North London.
By starting in the United States back four this summer, Yedlin will also give American fans a chance to see in person what he has been working on while at Spurs.
CB: John Brooks and Matt Besler
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With the Jermaine Jones experiment at center-back threatening the positions of other players on the depth chart, John Brooks and Matt Besler are in need of good showings at the Gold Cup.
There is a high chance Jones will make the Gold Cup squad and start, but it would be wise of Klinsmann to select a few younger defenders for the squad this summer.
Brooks has the potential to be Jones' permanent partner in the middle of the back four for a few years, but Besler would like to have a say in the conversation as well.
If he recovers from his difficult end to the 2014 season, Besler should be in line for a Gold Cup call-up.
At 27, Besler may not be considered young anymore, but since he carries with him plenty of international experience, he would be a good fit next to the 21-year-old Brooks.
Other potential starters at center-back are Tim Ream, Steve Birnbaum, Michael Parkhurst, Geoff Cameron and Jones.
LB: Greg Garza
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Over the next 12 months, the left-back position is Greg Garza's to lose.
After the international retirement of DaMarcus Beasley and Garza's recent addition to the United States squad, the 23-year-old has the inside track to earn the job on a permanent basis.
Garza will have to fight off the German-based duo of Fabian Johnson and Timothy Chandler, but neither defender is in the best form at the moment.
If Garza continues to catch the eye of Klinsmann while at Club Tijuana, he could earn the starting spot at left-back this summer.
Another thing going in Garza's favor is his age. Klinsmann is looking for younger players to step up in 2015, and Garza perfectly fits that description.
If he turns in a stellar showing for the Yanks, Garza could be the starting left-back for the 2016 Copa America Centenario and the 2018 World Cup.
CDM: Michael Bradley
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The Gold Cup will see the United States experiment with young players, but they do need some veterans in the squad as well.
One older player who should receive a call is Michael Bradley, who should also be moved back to his normal position in the defensive midfield.
Klinsmann has received a ton of criticism for playing Bradley in an advanced role recently, but he is going to need the 27-year-old to operate as the fulcrum of the midfield.
Bradley's presence in front of the back four will also be made possible by the use of Jones at center-back. With no other quality option at the position besides 32-year-old Kyle Beckerman, Bradley should earn the opportunity to play in every United States game this summer.
Although Bradley is the favorite to start here, do not be surprised if Wil Trapp makes the positional battle interesting in the buildup to the Gold Cup.
Wings: Brek Shea and Graham Zusi
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Two players in need of improving their stock in 2015 are Brek Shea and Graham Zusi, who could easily be a part of the quest for the 2015 Gold Cup.
Shea, who scored the game-winning goal in the 2013 Gold Cup Final against Panama, has moved back to MLS with Orlando City in an attempt to resurrect his career.
Zusi had a decent 2014 for both club and country, but he didn't impress much in the biggest games at the World Cup.
If Klinsmann opts to go with these two players on the wing, Shea will play in his usual position on the left with Zusi on the right.
A combination of Shea and Zusi would give the United States a youthful burst of pace and veteran experience in the midfield.
Expect plenty of other players to compete for these positions, but few potential combinations will be better than Shea and Zusi.
CAM: Lee Nguyen
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As long as Lee Nguyen keeps up his 2014 form, he should be rewarded with a starting role at the Gold Cup.
The New England Revolution midfielder found his way back into the USMNT picture in October thanks to a terrific season in which he scored 18 regular-season goals.
Nguyen continued to impress during the Revolution's run to the MLS Cup final with two goals and three assists. The 28-year-old's continued superb form helped him earn a call-up to the USMNT January camp.
Now that he is a consistent member of the United States squad, Nguyen should be rewarded for his strong play with a start behind the two forwards in Klinsmann's starting XI.
Nguyen's role in the squad could change depending on what formation Klinsmann uses during the summer. Even if a version of the 4-3-3 is utilized by the United States manager, Nguyen would still have the opportunity to play behind a target forward.
FW: Jozy Altidore and Rubio Rubin
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The next 12 months are important for the career of Jozy Altidore, who is in the process of securing a move to Toronto FC, per TSN's Gareth Wheeler.
Altidore is the top forward on the United States depth chart, but that position could be threatened if he fails to get off to a fast start with the Reds.
Since he is about to be an MLS-based player, Altidore should be a popular candidate to lead the line at the Gold Cup.
The other forward in this proposed 4-1-3-2 alignment is 18-year-old Rubio Rubin, who is currently based at Utrecht in the Netherlands.
Playing next to the experienced Altidore would do wonders for the young prospect, who earned his first call-up late last year.
The ideal scenario for this forward duo would be for Altidore to teach Rubin the tricks of the trade on and off the pitch in order for Rubin to gain confidence heading into the 2016 Olympics.
Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.
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