Gold Cup 2015: What Twitter Is Saying Ahead of USA vs. Panama

The United States will wrap up group play of the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup against Panama on Monday night at 9:30 ET in Kansas City. Although the U.S. has already secured first place in Group A and solidified a spot in the quarterfinals, the stellar play of their former captain, Clint Dempsey, has been making waves on Twitter. 

Dempsey's incredible start to the Gold Cup has prompted tweets from both the United States men's national team and MLS analyst Matthew Doyle describing his play:

Additionally, Dempsey's turnaround of late has forced Mike Cardillo of The Big Lead to admit his folly:

"

When you’re wrong you’re wrong: Dempsey’s play and production made the idea of phasing him out (with an eye on 2018) immediately look dumb. Without Dempsey’s nous and knack for being in the right back (sic) in the opponent’s penalty area these first two games would look a lot different for the U.S. 

Sports can often be funny. A couple weeks ago there were questions about Dempsey’s future. Now he’s up to 44 career goals for the U.S. and we’re asking if he’ll catch Landon Donovan’s record of 57 before it’s all said and done.

"

Here are a few more examples of how effective Dempsey has been of late and what a goal against Panama on Monday night would mean.

His impressive scoring has helped him turn the page on a period of uncertainty. Dempsey was replaced as U.S. captain by Michael Bradley earlier in July after he was involved in an incident with a referee on June 16 while playing for the Seattle Sounders. 

“For the time being, we thought it’s the best thing to give the captaincy to Michael Bradley and let Clint focus on what he’s all about,” U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said at the time of the incident, via Andrew Das of the New York Times. “Clint is about scoring goals. We need Clint Dempsey badly with the national team. We need him in a good spirit.”

Klinsmann was certainly right about Dempsey being "about scoring goals," as he has scored all of the Americans' goals thus far in the Gold Cup. His three goals are tied for the Gold Cup lead with Oribe Peralta of Mexico.

He may not officially be the team's captain at the moment, but at least one shirt is still recognizing Dempsey as "Captain America":

Dempsey's importance to the success of the team cannot be understated, as the 32-year-old possesses both the leadership and skills of a true champion. 

His torrid start to the Gold Cup has forced some to speculate that Dempsey is playing with a chip on his shoulder after having his role reduced, but he has denied that it has affected his play.

“That’s not any motivation. Wherever I play, I always try to help my team win games and score goals,” Dempsey told Marcus Kwesi O'Mard of NESN, when asked if losing his captaincy has given him more incentive.

Dempsey's heroics have prompted some fans to yearn for him to regain his status as captain of the U.S. team:

"

GIVE HIM THE DAMN ARMBAND. The man is working for it @clint_dempsey

— Lionel Laz (@LionelLaz) July 13, 2015"

Additionally, Dempsey's clutch goalscoring has prompted some soccer fans to speculate that if he were playing for the Mexicans, they wouldn't have played Guatemala to a disappointing 0-0 draw on Sunday.

Whether he regains his captaincy in the future or not, Dempsey can still help the United States push its way through the Gold Cup. After the USWNT's World Cup championship, Dempsey can be the hero who continues the recent success of soccer in America and helps continue to grow the sport within the country. 

CBS Sports summed it up pretty nicely the other day:

With his impressive play, Dempsey has shown that he can propel the U.S. to victories with or without the title of captain.

Although the United States may not need his heroics to move past Panama in what is virtually a meaningless game for them on Monday night, they will certainly lean on him heavily moving forward.