Photo courtesy of the Guardian
The USA will play host to yet another CONCACAF Gold Cup later on this summer from July 7 to the 28 with nothing but winning on their mind.
Losses to Mexico in the finals of both 2009 and 2011 are enough fuel to propel them to play a good tournament. This time around, they will call up their very best of the players who are willing to participate. However, some of the veterans that have changed the image of US soccer may not be on the roster.
Recently, coach Jurgen Klinsmann left veteran striker Landon Donovan off of his squad ahead of friendlies against Belgium and Germany. They are only friendlies, but these two games are in preparation for the Gold Cup tournament. Donovan has recently returned from a sabbatical and is clearly finding his old game form quickly and efficiently.
Of course, there is still some work to be done, but his presence could be used positively against the likes of two European nations who are playing some of their best soccer right now.
Besides Donovan, a man who proudly wore the captain’s armband is none other than Carlos Bocanegra, the center/left back of the US for the past many years. Now, he has been out of favor under the new coach as the young bloods are getting their chance to shine.
This is the beginning of a new era, but playing a tournament at home requires at least one or two vets who have been here many times before. Judging by the way the friendlies turn out, Klinsmann will have to decide whether or not he could chance leaving out some of his best leaders, especially against Mexico who will have their vets leading the way.
Aydin Reyhan is Soccer Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter: @areysportsnews, “like” his page on Facebook, follow him on Google.
