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USMNT: Five youngsters who could turn Gold Cup heartache into World Cup success

By Chris Smith

CHICAGO, IL - JULY 07: USA head coach Gregg Berhalter looks on during the CONCACAF Gold Cup final match between the United States and Mexico on July 07, 2019, at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo By Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JULY 07: USA head coach Gregg Berhalter looks on during the CONCACAF Gold Cup final match between the United States and Mexico on July 07, 2019, at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo By Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – JUNE 26: Jose Rodriguez #7 of Panama and Reggie Cannon #14 of the United States battle for the ball during the CONCACAF Gold Cup match at Children’s Mercy Park on June 26, 2019 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – JUNE 26: Jose Rodriguez #7 of Panama and Reggie Cannon #14 of the United States battle for the ball during the CONCACAF Gold Cup match at Children’s Mercy Park on June 26, 2019 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

2. Reggie Cannon

It’s been quite the summer for Reggie Cannon. Unexpectedly thrown into the USMNT’s Gold Cup squad, the 21-year-old has shown all the defensive solidarity which has seen him be dribbled past just six times in over 1200 minutes of MLS play for FC Dallas this season. Furthermore, his lung-busting runs from right-back added a real attacking dimension down that side for the USA and felt far more natural and fluid than jury-rigging Adams into that spot.

We’re not for one second saying that Cannon should displace Yedlin right now, but the FC Dallas youngster showed exactly what he’s made of in the Gold Cup semi-final, giving Kemar Lawrence hell with his runs in behind while staying disciplined that Leon Bailey barely got a sniff.

For an inexperienced international player to do that against such high-quality opposition is a sure sign of Cannon’s pedigree. While he may not instantly displace Yedlin — or Adams, should Berhalter persist with him at right-back — he will provide fierce competition throughout the next World Cup cycle.

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