2013 Gold Cup: 5 Things We Learned About U.S. Soccer

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Landon Donovan Is Still An Integral Part of the Team

Jerry Lai - USATODAY Sports

There were questions about Donovan and his future with the national team after his long and self-imposed hiatus, but most of those questions have been answered following the Gold Cup. Donovan was the best player in the tournament and also played some of his best soccer during his career with the national team, showing that he’s equally adept at scoring goals and setting up teammates for goals. If Donovan wants to be a part of the team for the remainder of 2014 World Cup Qualifying and for the 2014 World Cup next summer in Brazil, he will be. After his performance in the Gold Cup, there should be no doubt that Donovan is still an important part of the team, and he could really elevate the team’s performance next summer.

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The U.S. Has Incredible Depth At Goalkeeper

Tim Heitman - USATODAY Sports

Tim Howard’s job probably isn’t in jeopardy, nor is Brad Guzan’s standing as the backup goalie, but the United States once again showcased how good it is at developing goalies. Nick Rimando was great throughout the 2013 Gold Cup as he answered the call and more than likely solidified his spot as the third-string goalie next summer in Brazil. But, the Americans also got a strong performance from Sean Johnson in their win against Costa Rica as he made a spectacular save that started the counter attack that led to the only goal of the game. Depth is an issue at some positions for the U.S., but not at goalie, where the Americans have an impressive amount of talent stockpiled.

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Defending Set Pieces Is Still A Concern

Tim Heitman - USATODAY Sports

If there was a negative that came out of the Gold Cup, it’s the struggles the Americans are still having when they have to defend set pieces. The U.S. only allowed four goals in the tournament, but two of them were off set pieces. The Americans are too big and too athletic defensively for set pieces to be such a big problem for them. Whatever the issue is, it wasn’t fixed in the Gold Cup, although not allowing free kicks in their defensive third of the field would be a great place to start solving the problem.

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The Players and Jurgen Klinsmann Are Starting To Click

Kirby Lee - USATODAY Sports

The U.S. roster for the 2013 Gold Cup was almost entirely different than the roster that has won three straight 2014 World Cup Qualifying matches and has the Americans on the verge of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, but that wasn’t an issue. Regardless of which players are on the field, the U.S. is starting to implement the style and pace that Jurgen Klinsmann wants to play, and the results in qualifying and during the Gold Cup reflect that. Klinsmann is also starting to understand the team better, and is pushing all the right buttons. When he inserted Chris Wondolowski in the game against Cuba, it sparked a second-half rally that led to an easy win. When he subbed in Eddie Johnson against El Salvador, Johnson scored within seconds. The team and Klinsmann are starting to understand one another, which is huge for U.S. soccer moving forward.

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DaMarcus Beasley Will Be In Brazil Next Summer

Dennis Wierzbicki - USATODAY Sports

Two months ago, DaMarcus Beasley received his 100th cap with the national team in a friendly against Belgium while playing his third game at left back, a position where he had almost no experience and where he was looked at as a temporary fill-in. But following the recent 2014 World Cup Qualifying matches and the 2013 Gold Cup, Beasley is likely no. 1 on the depth chart at left back for the U.S. Barring an injury, he is almost assured of a spot on the 2014 World Cup roster next summer, giving him the opportunity to play in his fourth World Cup. Beasley is as thin and scrawny as ever, but he’s proven himself to be a fierce defender and as tough of a competitor as there exists in the game of soccer. He can still join the attack from his left back position, utilizing his speed and skills, but he doesn’t have to run as much as he did during his days as midfielder, which makes left back the perfect position for him. Outside of Fabian Johnson, who Jurgen Klinsmann may actually prefer to play at midfield, the U.S. doesn’t seem to have anyone that can unseat Beasley between now and next summer, which means he can book his ticket for Brazil.