MINNEAPOLIS — Now the true check begins for this model of the U.S. males’s nationwide workforce.
It’s already been an attention-grabbing summer time for the Individuals, who’re lacking greater than a dozen regulars — together with stars like Christian Pulisic and Antonee Robinson — for varied causes throughout this Concacaf Gold Cup, which continues for the event hosts right here on Sunday with a do-or-die quarterfinal in opposition to Costa Rica at U.S. Financial institution Stadium (kickoff at 7 p.m. ET on FOX).
After dropping its two pre-Gold Cup friendlies to European foes Türkiye and Switzerland and getting into the regional championship with 4 straight losses, the USMNT reeled off three group stage wins over Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti and visitor nation Saudi Arabia.
None of which means something on Sunday. Simply ask Panama, the workforce Canada coach Jesse March referred to as the title favourite earlier than Los Canaleros have been shocked on penalties on Saturday by Honduras — a squad the Canadians trounced 6-0 of their first-round opener simply 11 days prior.
“It is going to be so much harder,” U.S. ahead Malik Tillman mentioned of the problem posed by Costa Rica. “However all of us need to win this event. If you wish to win, it’s a must to win in opposition to anybody.”
You additionally want to attain. Doing that received’t be simple in opposition to all-planet Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas. A 3-time UEFA Champions League titlist with Actual Madrid, Navas is now 38. However he’s seemed as stout as ever at this Gold Cup, serving to his nation attain the final eight by making numerous key saves, together with a number of of the spectacular selection in a scoreless tie with Mexico in each side’ final match in group play.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino coached Navas at Paris Saint-Germain through the 2021-22 season. “My recollections with Keylor are superb,” Pochettino mentioned throughout Saturday’s pre-game press convention. “At all times we admire him, his mentality and his high quality as a keeper. It’s a unbelievable second to share tomorrow with him. He is an amazing participant. He’s an amazing keeper, among the finest on the planet.”
Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas stays a formidable goalkeeper. (Picture by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos)
Not that the Individuals are fazed.
“His profession speaks for itself,” U.S. veteran Tyler Adams mentioned. “He is clearly the chief of that workforce, and I believe his means to prepare is clearly going make it tough. His shot stopping is unbelievable. However, you recognize, I’ve confidence in my strikers.”
Patrick Agyemang figures to spearhead the U.S. assault for the fourth sport working. “It is good to have the ability to compete in opposition to the highest gamers,” Agyemang mentioned on Saturday.
The towering Charlotte FC ahead is amongst a handful of Individuals who’re coping with the potential of a membership switch throughout this Gold Cup. Ageymang has been linked to a transfer to England’s second tier Championship. Tillman, who performs for Dutch champs PSV Eindhoven and leads the USMNT with three targets thus far at this Gold Cup, is a rumored goal of Germany’s Bayern Leverkusen.
Midfielder Johnny Cardoso, questionable for Sunday due to an ankle harm, was visited by Atlético Madrid’s physician in Minnesota forward of what’s anticipated to be a switch price greater than $30 million from Spain’s Actual Betis. Even Pochettino has been within the information; the Argentine advised me on Saturday that he’s totally dedicated to the USMNT by subsequent summer time’s World Cup and scoffed at a report that he’d just lately been interviewed by English Premier League membership Brentford.
“It is not a distraction in any respect,” defender Walker Zimmerman, who’s searching for his first begin at this Gold Cup, mentioned of the surface noise. “Those that have been in these talks, they know that the higher they play right here, and the persevering with success of the workforce, is gonna assist them with their particular person profession and their strikes.”
Contained in the camp, the precedence is evident. “The nationwide workforce,” Agyemang mentioned, “is all we’re centered on proper now.”
It must be that means in opposition to an opponent the Individuals know can damage them if given the possibility
“Now we have to know that they are in all probability most harmful when now we have the ball, as a result of one mistake they usually’re able to pounce,” Adams mentioned. “We will not get informal, as a result of they will lure you right into a sport the place you have got a whole lot of possession.
“That is precisely what they need,” Adams continued. “One alternative they usually’re going the opposite means.”
Nonetheless, the U.S. likes their possibilities. Even with lots of the regulars lacking, there’s been a quiet confidence constructing throughout the ranks this month.
“Now we have the expertise, now we have the flexibility. But it surely’s about being intense and aggressive with and with out the ball,” defender Tim Ream mentioned. “That’s going to be the important thing for us, and ensuring that we’re conveying that message to all the blokes – particularly those who aren’t used to a lot of these conditions and a lot of these video games.
“All people is on the identical web page proper now,” Ream added. “All people’s able to go.”
Doug McIntyre is a soccer reporter for FOX Sports activities who has lined United States males’s and girls’s nationwide groups at FIFA World Cups on 5 continents. Comply with him @ByDougMcIntyre.
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