As the U.S. men’s national team embarks on its first tournament under Gregg Berhalter, it needs each member of the 23-man squad to make an impact in order to repeat as champions at the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup.
The 23-man squad is mixture of veterans looking to keep their place in the team, young players eager to make a name for themselves and a few unknown players who could be difference-makers.
Achieving success at the Gold Cup is imperative for the program to take a step forward under Berhalter, but a few players enter the competition in more comfortable positions on the program’s depth chart.
If those players are able to enhance their USMNT resume at the Gold Cup, they could be consistent figures on the always-changing roster ahead of the Concacaf Nations League and the beginning of 2022 World Cup qualifying.
Tyler Boyd
.@Tyler__Boyd will make his #USMNT debut today at Nippert Stadium. Here's the story his reasoning to play for 🇺🇸 instead of 🇳🇿.https://t.co/OfdSO1uMTH pic.twitter.com/vk5NgER5Gg
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) June 9, 2019
Tyler Boyd is the most unknown player on the USMNT’s Gold Cup roster.
The midfielder had his one-time switch from New Zealand approved just before the Gold Cup roster was confirmed, and he is expected to provide energy off the wing, which has been lacking in some of the early games of the Berhalter era.
During a brief spell at the start of the 3-0 friendly loss to Venezuela, Boyd provided some dangerous runs down the flank.
Because there is still such a small sample size of Boyd’s ability on the international stage, the Gold Cup is crucial for him to establish his permanent place in the squad.
Reggie Cannon
With Tyler Adams’ injury absence comes an opportunity for Reggie Cannon to shine at right back.
Cannon should have a chance to pave his way up the depth chart given some likely rotation from Berhalter during the group stage.
The performance of the fullbacks is crucial at the Gold Cup since the USMNT is looking for a consistent left back and a solid backup for Adams.
The young FC Dallas standout will be in contention for a starting position alongside Nick Lima, and if he is able to outplay the San Jose Earthquakes fullback in the group stage, he will get an opportunity to play in the knockout round.
The Gold Cup is also important for Cannon and the other fullbacks to gain Berhalter’s trust in case the decision is made to move Adams around the field.
Wil Trapp
Wil Trapp has had plenty of chances to cement his status in central midfield, but he hasn’t been able to make a convincing argument on a consistent basis to remain in the USMNT starting XI when the squad is at full strength.
Trapp has the advantage of knowing the intricacies of Berhalter’s system from their time together in Columbus, and if he is finally able to take hold of a position on the field with a string of consistent performances, he could be in the picture long term for the USMNT.
However, that path is going to be tough to pave with Weston McKennie, Cristian Roldan and Michael Bradley on the roster.
If he is unable to impress during his opportunities at the Gold Cup, Trapp’s time with the USMNT could come to an end with plenty of other central midfield options to choose from.
Jordan Morris
Now that he is back to 100 percent health, Jordan Morris has a chance to continue the upward trajectory he was on before an ACL injury cost him all of the 2018 season.
During his injury absence, no one was able to lock down the top spots on the forward depth chart, which is why Jozy Altidore is still viewed as the top-choice striker.
Morris, who has five goals in 28 international appearances, has three Gold Cup goals to his name, and he might receive a chance to extend that total as early as Tuesday against Guyana.
If he is able to find the back of the net on a few occasions to support Altidore and others in the final third, the Seattle Sounders FC standout could rise above the pack and solidify a spot on a currently murky depth chart.
Gyasi Zardes
You can apply the same thinking about Morris to Gyasi Zardes.
The Columbus Crew forward has scored seven times in 45 international appearances, but only once since 2017.
Zardes’ inconsistencies in attack was one of the main reasons why Altidore will be welcomed back with open arms for the Gold Cup.
An extended stretch without a goal on the international level is inexcusable for a forward, no matter how strong his club form is.
With Josh Sargent waiting in the wings for the fall, Zardes needs to thrive at the Gold Cup to prove to Berhalter he can translate his MLS numbers to the international stage for good.