Have These Players Made Their WC Case?

Landon Donovan

He’s the best player wearing a USA jersey at this Gold Cup. He can be the best player wearing a USA jersey in any game, if he wants to be.
In this tournament he has shown that he wants to be there. It is clear that he wants to win this tournament. He had to earn his way back on the National Team. He has earned it!

Stuart Holden

When he was first injured two years ago he was on the verge of making a big jump into the U.S. MNT lineup. Has he recovered and can he contribute?
Coming off the bench he gave a boost in games against the minnows. He has shown that he can play a full 90 minutes. His technical abilities and knack of delivering a useful pass is a positive. If he can remain healthy he has a shot at a spot.
Who does he replace as a starter? Perhaps no one, but he could be very effective coming in as a mid-second half sub to lift the pace of the game.

Kyle Beckerman

He’s been a solid player in[show_disconnected][show_to accesslevel=’Subscriber’] Major League Soccer, and has always answered the call when asked to play for the USA. Some might not realize that he was in that first residency class with Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley in Bradenton as teenagers.
In this Gold Cup he has been solid. There have been times when one or two mistakes have proven to be costly in tight games, but not in this Gold Cup.
Beckerman’s problem is the position he plays. The U.S. is blessed with a number of good players at defensive midfield. He has done nothing to hurt his chances.

Chris Wondolowski

He’s a nightmare of a goal scorer in Major League Soccer, but until he scored against Guatemala he had never scored a goal at the international level.
He had three against Belize and two more against Cuba, but in second-half reserve roles. As a starter, he didn’t seem to have the same magic.
That said, he is a different type of forward than most of the others. He isn’t a creator of goals as much as a finisher of goals. Right place at the right time. Foot on the ball, flick with the header. Things you can’t teach. You have it or you don’t.
Jozy Altidore has broken out of his U.S. scoring slump, and while he isn’t on the Gold Cup roster, he casts a large shadow on that forward position. Eddie Johnson has scored in the Gold Cup as has Hercules Gomez, going home after the group games with an aching knee.
Wondo needs to finish this Gold Cup with a couple more Wonder goals.

Joe Corona, Alejandro Bedoya,
Jose Torres

Put them as a group. In some ways very similar. All have played well in this Gold Cup. Torres has more experience, but he has struggled to blend his game with the others in big games. Very technical, great passes, but prefers to play a little slower than Klinsmann likes to play.
Corona is a player with great promise, as is Bedoya. Is this their World Cup, or it is five years from now? Maybe one, but not both.

Brek Shea

Big, left-foot, quick for his size. Can get it down the flank and across the middle.
Was thought to be a Klins-mann favorite because he was a regular in the games after the new coach took over. But injuries set him back a bit, as did questions about his attitude.
Has been a positive force in the Gold Cup. Scored an outstanding goal on a breakaway off a first-time long ball from Donovan. First international goal.
Nothing is guaranteed, but if he continues to play well he has a very good shot at going to Brazil.
DaMarcus Beasley
Last but not least! A resounding yes. Asked to play a position he hadn’t played before, Beasley moved back a spot from his left midfield position, and has played well in qualifiers and Gold Cup.
Klinsmann sees him as a leader. That’s why he’s on the Gold Cup roster and wearing the captain’s arm band. Book his ticket. He’ll play left back until someone beats him out, or Klinsmann moves him back to midfield.