In less than 24 hours the United States will take on Cuba in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and just to get this out of the way, they should and most likely will win and advance.
However, given recent performances in this very tournament, the US has a habit of playing down to its competition. The Haiti match is a prime example, not to discredit Haiti, but the USMNT could have played a thousand times better than it did.
So, let’s take a took at how Cuba made it to this stage. The Cubans finished third place in group C on 3 points and a -7 goal difference. They endured a 6-0 dismantling by Mexico in their first group game, not to mention the loss of coaches and players due to visa and defection issues. They were then handed a 2-0 loss by Trinidad, the eventual winners of the group, and left the Cubans facing a win or go home match with Guatemala in the final group game. A 72nd minute header from Maikel Reyes gave Cuba the eventual 1-0 win and advancement into the next round of the tournament over the Guatemalans.
Now, a showdown with the Americans awaits. These sides were in the same group in the last edition of the tournament, and played to a 4-1 USA win the second group game, but the match saw the physicality and speed of Cuba play a part early as it took some time for the US to get adjusted. Cuba would go on to be eliminated 6-1 by Panama in the quarterfinals.
With Jurgen Klinsmann’s roster changes ahead of this match, and the suspension of John Brooks due to yellow card accumulation, the US will look a different side than what was seen in the group stage. The addition of DaMarcus Beasley, Joe Corona, and Alan Gordon into the team will in all likelihood change the lineup and tactics of Klinsmann’s side.
DaMarcus Beasley”s veteran presence will provide stable defending on the left and allow Fabian Johnson to be switched to the right fullback spot or placed higher into the midfield to provide more in the attack, depending on how comfortable Klinsmann is sticking with Timmy Chandler in defense. Joe Corona will provide an energetic option off the bench, barring Alejandro Bedoya isn’t fit enough to start. Corona had a good showing in the last Gold Cup, scoring 2 goals in the tournament, one just so happened to be against Cuba as well.
As for Alan Gordon, the LA Galaxy demolition man will be looked upon to be just that for the US. If the clock is running down and the US need a goal, Gordon is the man to fill the role, much like Eddie Johnson did at times during the last edition of the Gold Cup. The Galaxy striker is known for his timely goals, and can be a weapon off the bench if needed.
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With John Brooks suspended, a new central defense pairing will be used for the Cuba match. It would be no surprise, and at this point, it’s actually the right decision, to play Tim Ream in Brooks’ spot with Ventura Alvarado at the other centerback position. Ream played decently well in his start earlier in the tournament and deserves the chance to stake his place in the starting XI.
If the USMNT stick with the 4-4-2 diamond that Klinsmann has favored, they could lineup like this:
Brad Guzan
Fabian Johnson; Ventura Alvarado; Tim Ream; DaMarcus Beasley
Mix Diskerud
Alejandro Bedoya Gyasi Zardes
Michael Bradley
Aron Johannsson; Clint Dempsey
If Klinsmann really wanted DeAndre Yedlin in the XI, he could play Zardes with Dempsey up top, move Bedoya to the left, and put Yedlin on the right. However, given their performances so far, it is vital that both Johannsson and Zardes on the field, so Klinsmann may have to sacrifice somebody from the XI.
Barring any very, very sloppy play from the Americans, they should win this one easily, but it will not be a surprise if it takes some time for them to adjust to the play of the Cubans.
Prediction: USA 3-0 Cuba. Goals from Clint Dempsey and Gyasi Zardes will cap the US’ best performance of the tournament thus far and push them through to the semis.
The USMNT kickoff against Cuba at 5 pm eastern on Saturday, and the match will be broadcast on Fox.
