Historically, the Gold Cup has been a springboard for success for a number of USMNT legends – who will be next?
The U.S. men's national team will not be at full strength this summer. Christian Pulisic is out. So, too, are Weston McKennie, Antonee Robinson, Tim Weah and Yunus Musah. For many within the player pool, though, this opportunity means everything – and history tells us that this Gold Cup will be a launching pad for at least one player's stunning World Cup rise.
Going back to the 1994 World Cup cycle, a total of 12 players entered the Gold Cup with fewer than five caps and proceeded to represent the USMNT in the subsequent World Cup. That list includes both USMNT legends in the making and players who caught lightning in a bottle, but all involved parlayed a Gold Cup into a World Cup dream.
DaMarcus Beasley had just three caps before emerging at the Gold Cup in January of 2002. Same for Pablo Mastroeni, who had two appearances entering that tournament. Stu Holden had yet to feature for the USMNT prior to the 2009 Gold Cup, while Oguchi Onyewu launched his USMNT career four years prior with a run at the 2005 tournament.
More recently, both Matt Turner and Shaq Moore entered the 2021 Gold Cup with six caps between them. Both ended up in Qatar.
The point is this: roster decisions and player absences and outside noise notwithstanding, the USMNT's upcoming friendlies and Gold Cup matter from a player development and visibility perspective, beyond overall team performance – particularly to the newcomers, and for coach Mauricio Pochettino.
This summer's roster features a dozen players with fewer than five caps, including six who have yet to appear for the USMNT. Each of those 12 will believe that they can play their way into the World Cup squad – and that all starts now. Will history repeat itself?
GOAL looks at the top candidates in that category who could change the trajectory of their careers.
Getty ImagesDiego Luna
It's hard to believe we've only seen Luna in a USMNT shirt on four occasions, largely because he's packed so damn much into those four games. From the broken and bloodied nose to a big Nations League assist, Luna has already endeared himself to the USMNT fanbase and, more importantly, to Pochettino, who clearly appreciates the attitude the Real Salt Lake star brings.
It'll be a big summer for him. Luna won't be surprising anyone anymore and, with the World Cup just a year away, he'll fight to be one of the guys Pochettino relies on in attack. Both Luna and Malik Tillman will be relied on to do heavy lifting in the attack – thanks to those notable absence – and that could potentially lead to the starting No. 10 next summer.
It's been a quick rise for Luna, and the 21-year-old's exploits in MLS may just be the beginning.
AdvertisementAFPJack McGlynn
McGlynn does something better than just about anyone else in the player pool: pass the ball. His vision is incredible, as is his touch, allowing him to set the tempo or dictate games from dead-ball situations. A player such as James Ward-Prowse has ridden a similar style all the way to the England team and, while McGlynn may not be at that level, it's easy to see why any club could find a use for him.
There's still one looming question: Does he have the athleticism or defensive instincts to compete at the international level? He can hit a ball, for sure, but the international game requires a different caliber of speed. Through his first four caps, McGlynn hasn't seen that challenged often, but this summer will give him the chance to answer those questions.
With the likes of McKennie and Musah out of the picture for the Gold Cup, due to Club World Cup commitments, McGlynn has a chance to show why he should be joining them in the USMNT midfield.
Getty Images SportDamion Downs
Downs is perhaps the biggest wild card in the USMNT squad – for multiple reasons. The first of which is his position, which is always more form-based than others. The second? Few who follow the USMNT have seen him play.
The 20-year-old German-born striker broke out with FC Koln this season, netting 10 goals in 26 games to help his club win the 2. Bundesliga. That came after he scored twice in the Bundesliga as a teenager, ending against Borussia Monchengladbach and Union Berlin last season before Koln went down to the second division.
Internationally, this isn't Downs' first experience with the U.S., having previously spent time with the U23s, but a bulk of his games have been with Germany. That makes a pre-Gold Cup call-up all the more interesting as it indicates that Downs knows where his future lies: with the USMNT.
A striker spot won't be easy to win with the likes of Ricardo Pepi, Folarin Balogun and Josh Sargent all in contention next year. Other newcomers Patrick Agyemang and Brian White, are in the mix, too. Downs, though, has a realistic path to the 2026 World Cup, particularly if he impresses this summer and in Koln's Bundesliga return next season.
GettyAlex Freeman
The right-back spot seems sorted with Sergino Dest and Joe Scally in the mix, but there's a reason why so many people are high on Freeman. Orlando City's rising star is with the USMNT for the first time, having more than earned his place in MLS.
He's a modern attacking fullback, one who creates chances at an elite level in MLS. It's why teams in Europe are reportedly eyeing him just a few months into his first real run at senior soccer.
Pochettino will love him, too, particularly as a like-for-like replacement for Dest should that be required. Freeman has the skillset to really make a difference for the USMNT and, at just 20, it's clear that there's plenty of room to develop.