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Bruce Arena has finalized his 23-man roster for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and it’s an interesting mix of veteran players that are desperate to impress and make one final World Cup squad while the next generation of talent aims to prove that their time has arrived.
While every player on the roster stands to either gain or lose a lot with regards to the ultimate goal of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, here are five players that could use this tournament as a springboard to more important roles next summer.
Bill Hamid in action for DC United.
With Tim Howard and Brad Guzan firmly ensconced as the first choice goalkeepers for the United States, the Gold Cup appears to be the testing ground for who will grab the third and final spot on the plane to Russia.
In Howard and Guzan, the USA will have two very experienced goalkeepers on its final World Cup roster, and it’s more than likely that Bruce Arena will opt for a younger prospect with the nation’s third choice. 26-year-old DC United shot-stopper Bill Hamid fits the bill.
United have endured a horrible start to the season, but it would be a whole lot worse without Hamid in net. The Virginia native has been named to the MLS Team of the Week on three occasions, and he leads MLS with 73 saves.
A trip to Russia would mark his first World Cup experience, and Hamid has all the tools to be competing for the USA’s No. 1 jersey by the time the 2022 tournament rolls around.
Eric Lichaj has become a vital player at Nottingham Forest in the English Championship.
Eric Lichaj made a substitute appearance for the United States against Puerto Rico in 2016, but you’d have to go back to the 2011 Gold Cup to find the last time the defender started a match for the States.
The 28-year-old has forced his way back into the setup after his best season as a professional in 2016-17. Lichaj played in 41 matches for Nottingham Forest in the English Championship, and he was voted Forest’s Player of the Year.
Lichaj’s versatility makes him a potentially valuable squad player at the World Cup. He can play as either a right or left back, and he’s also able to push forward and play as a wide midfielder on either flank.
Disciplined and strong in the tackle, Lichaj could come off the bench in Russia to help the United States solidify their defense and protect a result.
Kenny Saief battles Hurricane Harry Kane in the UEFA Europa League.
After receiving his approval from FIFA for a one-time switch from the Israeli national team to the United States, Kenny Saief figures to be the most watched and discussed player for the USMNT at the Gold Cup.
With experience in both the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, the KAA Gent player is immediately distinguishable from the majority of his teammates.
Saief is also somewhat of a rarity in the setup in that he’s a left-footed player that fits the role of an attacking wing back in the modern game. However, he also has experience playing as a secondary striker and attacking midfielder.
A player like Saief who can fill a number of vital roles at the flip of a switch, and do them well, is a luxury in knockout competition, and a good Gold Cup could immediately see Saief become a huge asset for the USMNT.
Dax McCarty has helped transform the Chicago Fire this season.
The unsung 30-year-old midfielder is experiencing something of a renaissance currently by doing what he’s done throughout his professional career. A metronomic influence in the center of the park, no player appears to have benefited more from Bruce Arena’s second stint in charge than Dax McCarty.
Consistently overlooked by Jurgen Klinsmann, McCarty’s standout play for both the New York Red Bulls and now the Chicago Fire has made Arena a long-time admirer of the former North Carolina Tar Heel.
McCarty is a player whose introduction into the midfield can immediately alter the game’s tempo — he’s able to dictate the pace of the game from deep, and he’s capable of quickly switching the point of attack.
If the midfield battle is being lost in Russia, McCarty would be an invaluable option off the bench.
2017 may finally be the year that Juan Agudelo comes into his own.
It’s easy to forget that Juan Agudelo is still only 24 years old. Having made his debut in MLS at the tender age of 17, it seems like ages ago that Agudelo was part of a blockbuster trade that sent him to Chivas USA.
Since making his USMNT debut in 2010 and becoming the youngest player in the team’s history to score in a senior game, Agudelo has been in and around the setup without ever making a strong claim.
He’s off to his best start ever in MLS play, scoring seven goals in only 11 starts for the Revolution. Without the likes of Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey and Bobby Wood, this tournament is equally as important for Dom Dwyer, Jordan Morris and Gyasi Zardes.
But the time is now for Agudelo, and his current form makes him the most likely candidate to have a breakout tournament.
