USMNT: 10 American Players to Watch in 2016
It was not a great year for the U.S. men's national team, but there's plenty to look forward to in 2016.
The Copa America Centenario will give the USMNT a chance to face top-level competition. This is a tournament that should get American fans excited.
The Copa America will start in June, and World Cup qualifying resumes in March. This means that head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has to monitor several players as he prepares for these crucial matches.
The players who will be examined in this slideshow will predominantly consist of youngsters due to the aging squad. However, established first-team members like Fabian Johnson will also be highlighted.
Here are 10 American players to watch in 2016.
10. Jesse Gonzalez (FC Dallas)
1 of 10
FC Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez enjoyed a terrific season in 2015 after replacing Dan Kennedy as the No. 1.
The 20-year-old made 11 regular-season starts, earned five clean sheets and made four playoff appearances in the process.
Gonzalez's form to end the season earned him a call-up to Jurgen Klinsmann's January camp, per Goal.com's Ives Galarcep.
The homegrown talent has represented Mexico's youth national team. Therefore, if he wants to play for the U.S., he would have to file a one-time change of association, according to Galarcep.
It appears as if Gonzalez will be Dallas' starting goalkeeper in 2016. If that's the case, the U.S. coaches may have a solid young replacement for Tim Howard and Brad Guzan.
9. Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls)
2 of 10
Matt Miazga was named the U.S. young player of the year for 2015 after a standout campaign with the New York Red Bulls.
Miazga also made his senior debut back in November. Not bad for a 20-year-old with just 34 regular-season appearances to his name.
The center back's form for club and country has him determined to make the jump to Europe, per Goal.com's Ives Galarcep.
Whether or not he plays overseas, Miazga will still be one of the top Americans to watch in 2016.
Many in MLS believe that Miazga is the best defensive prospect the U.S. has ever produced, according to ESPN FC's Doug McIntyre. He might be able to live up to that hype beginning at the Copa America Centenario.
8. Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca)
3 of 10
Omar Gonzalez's sale to Pachuca may have come as a shock to some LA Galaxy fans. However, USMNT supporters should be optimistic about Gonzalez moving to Liga MX.
The American center back underwhelmed in 2015, but as Sean Steffen of SB Nation points out, it will be tough for the Galaxy to replace Gonzalez.
The 27-year-old is still a solid defender, and a move to Mexico allows Gonzalez to test himself against stronger opposition.
This could sway U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann into starting Gonzalez if he rediscovers his form from previous years.
7. Jorge Villafana (Santos Laguna)
4 of 10
Jorge Villafana enjoyed a breakthrough season en route to an MLS Cup with the Portland Timbers in 2015. The left back started 33 of 34 games in the regular season and was one of the top performers in the final.
Just five days after the MLS Cup final, Villafana was transferred to Santos Laguna in Mexico.
The 26-year-old's stock has never been higher. It might grow even more if he is called up to the U.S. January camp. There are few outstanding full-backs in the USMNT squad, so Villafana would have a chance to become a starter.
If Villafana impresses in the camp and replicates his 2015 form in Liga MX, he'll be a lock to start at the Copa America Centenario and in World Cup qualifying.
6. DeAndre Yedlin (Sunderland, on Loan from Tottenham)
5 of 10
DeAndre Yedlin made more appearances with his national team (13) than he did for either Tottenham or Sunderland (10) in all competitions in 2015.
Yedlin's loan to Sunderland has led to more playing time at club level. However, it hasn't been perfect. He was recently substituted out of a game after 18 minutes due to his carelessness on the ball.
U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has primarily used Yedlin as a winger, but he occasionally started as a full-back.
One of the few times the 22-year-old operated as a right back, he was easily beaten by St. Vincent and the Grenadines' Oalex Anderson in a World Cup qualifier.
Yedlin has to improve his one-on-one defending and crossing in 2016. Otherwise, the only attribute he has is his speed, which isn't useful if he lacks vision.
5. Dax McCarty (New York Red Bulls)
6 of 10
The U.S. was overrun in midfield during most of its games in 2015. Kyle Beckerman has aged, and head coach Jurgen Klinsmann does not have a capable replacement.
Dax McCarty is the answer for the USMNT in 2016 and beyond.
Rob Usry of SB Nation highlighted McCarty's best attributes and why he would excel with the USA. He's one of the most complete midfielders in MLS and is still being overlooked.
Of course, McCarty is already 28 years old, which may deter Klinsmann and his coaching staff. However, there's no denying that the Red Bulls midfielder would thrive with the national team.
McCarty's first season under New York coach Jesse Marsch was a success. If he performs at a similar level next year, he has to be considered for the U.S. roster.
4. Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew)
7 of 10
There are several talented American defensive midfielders in MLS. D.C. United's Perry Kitchen and FC Dallas' Kellyn Acosta are two examples, but Wil Trapp may have the highest potential out of them all.
Trapp only played 19 games in the regular season due to concussion issues and international call-ups. He improved with each match and impressed during the playoffs against quality opposition, which MLS Armchair Analyst Matthew Doyle pointed out.
The U.S. needs younger midfielders, and the 22-year-old should be a leading candidate for some minutes in 2016. Especially if he stays healthy and builds on his post-season success from 2015.
3. Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers)
8 of 10
Darlington Nagbe was one of the most polarizing players in MLS this season. The hottest topic involving Nagbe was which role he was best suited to within the Portland Timbers lineup.
Eventually, head coach Caleb Porter switched to a 4-1-4-1 formation with Nagbe operating as a box-to-box midfielder. Brian Sciaretta of American Soccer Now broke down the tactical tweak in detail.
Nagbe's form in the final weeks of the MLS season earned him a call-up to the U.S. men's national team. He made his debut against St. Vincent and the Grenadines on November 13.
The 25-year-old made a positive impression on the coaching staff, per Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl. He was described as "skillful," which is what the USMNT needs from midfield.
Now that Nagbe has found his ideal role, it's up to him to produce consistent performances in 2016.
2. Jordan Morris (Stanford Cardinal)
9 of 10
Jordan Morris helped the Stanford Cardinal win the 2015 NCAA College Cup. Now he can choose to stay at Stanford, accept the most lucrative homegrown contract in MLS history or go to Europe.
Goal.com's Ives Galarcep reported that the deal with the Seattle Sounders is worth between $250,000 and $300,000. ESPN's Taylor Twellman also claims that a Bundesliga club is interested in Morris (via ESPN FC).
USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann didn't hold back on his advice to Morris, per ESPN FC:
"Now comes a big moment for Jordan Morris. He has to decide what is his next step. His next step obviously has to be becoming a professional. It's not an easy decision for him.
From our standpoint, it's very, very important that he chooses an environment where he gets to play.
He needs to play in order to be in a good position to be a continuous part of the national team program, and also the Olympic team that will hopefully qualify for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro at the end of March.
"
Morris is only 21 years old and already has seven U.S. caps to his name. He will likely play in the Olympic playoff against Colombia in March as well.
The striker has a big decision to make for 2016 and beyond. Whichever route he takes, he'll be a player to watch due to the USA's lack of young and consistent goalscorers.
1. Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach)
10 of 10
Fabian Johnson's 2015 was very entertaining, to say the least.
He played as a full-back and in midfield for the U.S. Johnson then got into a rift with head coach Jurgen Klinsmann in the CONCACAF Cup against Mexico.
The disagreement with Klinsmann seemed to spark Johnson, though.
The 28-year-old tore apart the Bundesliga and Champions League with Borussia Monchengladbach. He has scored five goals in his last nine appearances in all competitions.
ESPN FC's Doug McIntyre said that fans should "bank on" Johnson remaining in midfield for the U.S. in future games.
Should Johnson continue this form with Gladbach in 2016, USMNT fans have every right to be excited if this translates to the national team.
