USA Gold Cup 2015: Full Roster, Group-Stage Schedule and Predictions
With home advantage and their position as reigning champions, the United States will feel the Gold Cup is theirs to lose.
Jurgen Klinsmann's team have few competitors of their standard at this year's CONCACAF competition, with Mexico the most likely side to dent their ambitions.
We'll take a look at the USMNT roster for the tournament and provide you with fixture information, as well as predictions:
| Goalkeeper | Brad Guzan, Nick Rimando, William Yarbrough |
| Defender | Ventura Alvarado, John Brooks, Timmy Chandler, Brad Evans, Omar Gonzalez, Fabian Johnson, Tim Ream |
| Midfielder | Kyle Beckerman, Alejandro Bedoya, Michael Bradley, Brad Davis, Mix Diskerud, Alfredo Morales, DeAndre Yedlin, Gyasi Zardes, Graham Zusi |
| Forward | Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Aron Johannsson, Chris Wondolowski |
| July 7 | Panama | Haiti | Toyota Stadium |
| July 7 | United States | Honduras | Toyota Stadium |
| July 10 | Honduras | Panama | Gillette Stadium |
| July 10 | United States | Haiti | Gillette Stadium |
| July 13 | Haiti | Honduras | Sporting Park |
| July 13 | Panama | United States | Sporting Park |
Preview and Predictions
It is difficult to look past the USA's claim for Gold Cup glory at the advent of the competition. Klinsmann's team have been the dominant force in recent years, winning four of the last seven gatherings.
USMNT warmed up for their campaign with a dominant 4-0 win over fellow confederation side Guatemala—watched by 44,000 American fans in Nashville.
However, the coach was far from happy with his side's overall performance level and was truthful when giving his assessment, per MLSsoccer.com:
"The performance? Not so nice, I'm not happy with that performance. I'm kind of disappointed with a couple of things: moving off the ball, speed of play, urgency. Things we talked about before were not executed the way we wanted them to be executed. We have four days to prepare for Honduras. We expect a nasty game and an aggressive and difficult game. We definitely have to step it up.
"
Despite the manager's concerns, the USA enter the competition on the crest of a wave, after historic wins against the Netherlands and Germany.
Primary attackers Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey are both back in Klinsmann's team for the first time in six months, giving the USMNT the firepower they need to match the Mexican threat.
With third-placed teams also making it through to the knockout phase, it is unlikely the Americans will have any issues qualifying deep into the proceedings.
Mexico are coming off of a poor Copa America campaign, but the United States will expect an onslaught from their neighbours when they face off.
Despite being joint favourites to win the competition with Mexico, Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl thinks the USA's opening hurdle is tough, with the quality running high:
The United States is still waiting to produce its first superstar footballer who can lead them through major competitions, but as the roster shows, it is a team built on hard work and industry.
Dempsey is always so vital to the American process when it comes to big games, and his contribution will be key once more.
Mexico are now without the injured Javier Hernandez, giving the USMNT the edge for the title. Despite the obvious threat the Mexicans still pose without the Manchester United striker, the USA should be too strong for any opponent over the next few weeks, and they will bag yet another Gold Cup crown.
Prediction: USA win the 2015 Gold Cup
.jpg?w=600 "Offseason Moves for Every Team 👉")
.png?w=600 "New NBA Mock Draft 📝")
.png?w=600 "Surprising Landing Spots for Top Potential 2026 NBA Free Agents")