John Brooks Delivers Standout Performance in Statement Game for USMNT

PHILADELPHIA — What a difference a year makes for John Brooks and the United States men's national team. 

A year after the squad's tumultuous CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign ended with a fourth-place finish just outside Philadelphia, Brooks delivered a masterful performance in defense to propel the USMNT into first place in Group A at the Copa America Centenario. 

The 23-year-old Hertha Berlin man was one of the most disappointing players throughout the Gold Cup. However, he has redeemed himself with every minute he's played during the Copa against Colombia, Costa Rica and in Saturday's 1-0 win over Paraguay at Lincoln Financial Field.

Clint Dempsey's 27th-minute goal gave the U.S. the victory in a game the Yanks played with 10 men for the majority of the second half. 

"You're just impressed by the learning curve a younger player goes through, and you're just happy for that process," USMNT boss Jurgen Klinsmann said after the match. "A year ago, a lot of people were very critical of him, and I said that he has to have those experiences. He needs to make mistakes to grow. There's no growth without failure for nobody." 

Brooks' first big play of his Man of the Match showing came in the 11th minute as he positioned himself perfectly to make a sliding challenge in the box to stop a three-on-one breakaway from Paraguay. The commanding tackle set the tone for a night that will go down in USMNT lore as one of the top performances by any center-back who has donned the red, white and blue. 

Brooks played a more pivotal role in the second half after the USMNT went down a man due to DeAndre Yedlin's pair of rash tackles in the 48th minute. The starting right-back's ejection tested the resiliency of a side that hasn't gone down a man in a major tournament since the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. 

As Paraguay continued to push for an equalizer, Brooks was consistently in the right place at the right time. He oozed confidence when he made his challenges and rarely made an error in the middle of an adjusted back line that saw reserve center-back Michael Orozco take Yedlin's spot on the right flank. 

Brooks' performance made a statement in the eyes of the USMNT manager and his starting goalkeeper.

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

"That performance by John was definitely something special," Klinsmann said. 

"I don’t think it’s just his growth in the tournament," USMNT goalkeeper Brad Guzan said. "I think it’s his growth over the last 12 months in terms of playing week in and week out over in Germany. That’s what playing consistent football does for a young player. I think he’s been great for us in this tournament. I think you guys are starting to see what we did in training." 

His side's second-half showing also impressed Klinsmann. It handed the USMNT boss belief that his team can play with anybody in the tournament's knockout phase. 

"This is a huge statement to teams in South America or whoever watches it on TV because this team has a fantastic spirit; they have character," Klinsmann said. "What I really love from these guys is that they want to get better. They want to get better. They improve, they listen. You run them through certain scenarios. You run them through certain systems, shapes. You kind of make them understand that their learning curve is just starting."

"Those that are older, they stay hungry and are committed, like a Jermaine Jones or a Clint," Klinsmann said. "That's just fantastic to see. As a coach, you want to see your players enjoy that process, and I think right now they're really enjoying it." 

DON EMMERT/Getty Images

The renewed belief in the squad started with the performance in the 2-0 loss to Colombia. Despite conceding a pair of goals on a set piece and a penalty in the first half of the opener, the Yanks turned in what they believed to be a quality performance.

They backed that up in their second Group A contest against CONCACAF rival Costa Rica. Klinsmann's men used three first-half goals to beat up on the Ticos, who helped the Yanks on Saturday as they defeated Colombia, 3-2, to put the USMNT into first place on goal difference. 

The USMNT won't know its quarterfinal opponent until the conclusion of Sunday's matches in Group B. Brazil, Peru and Ecuador are all possible foes for the Yanks, who enter the quarter-final round with little fear of any opponent, even if it is Brazil. 

"I think it's just getting more exciting," Klinsmann said. "You want to be in a competition like that and you want to face Brazil if it's Brazil. Ecuador if it's Ecuador, because we played the friendly obviously. You don't even need to watch Brazil. We know them inside out anyway, so we don't need to send a scouting staff there. It's just a wonderful opportunity for our team to play the types of games."

Shaun Clark/Getty Images

"It's just growing and rising to the occasion. We have nothing to lose," Klinsmann said. "If it's Brazil, they are the big-time favorites, five-time world champs, blah blah blah, but why not go at them? Why not be courageous? Why not put pressure on them and give them a game?"

Klinsmann pointed out the team's travels to Europe during his time in charge as the perfect preparation for what's to come during what could be a run to the final of the Copa America on home soil. 

"That's why over the past couple of years we went abroad to get certain experiences to just get all of this growth within our mindsets that we can compete," Klinsmann said. "Yes, they are friendly games, when you're playing Germany, Holland, Bosnia, but so what? You go there and give them a game. You beat some of them and that's what the learning curve is." 

If it plays the way it did on Saturday in the knockout round, a title could be in store for a side that is riding into the final eight with a massive amount of confidence. 

"I’m proud to be a part of this team, and I think we could possibly do something special here, so hopefully we can build upon that and we get the job done in the next game," Dempsey said. 

Joe Tansey covers U.S. Soccer for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter, @JTansey90.