I’m sure you’ve read reasoned, reasonable takes on the Gold Cup roster. If that’s what you are looking for…leave now. There will be some logic and possibly genuine insight in here, but there will also be sarcasm, complaining, and whatnot. To the roster!
Goalkeepers
Zack Steffen – he’s moving to Fortuna Dusseldorf via Man City at the end of the Gold Cup. He’s a good keeper, he’s Gregg’s guy, and he’s not bald. The end.
Sean Johnson – Who knew that being good with your feet was more important than being able to, you know, stop the ball as a goalkeeper? He’s not terrible and he’s the clear #2 at this point.
Tyler Miller – Let’s be honest. This roster did not have enough Tylers. If you’re going to be taken seriously as a soccer nation you need at least three. Also, I don’t care who the third keeper is. Or really about this position at all unless they’re terrible.
Defenders
Tyler Adams – I just can’t. Adams was the highest ranked CDM in the Bundesliga according to WhoScored. I like Berhalter. I think he’s the best coach the USMNT has had since Bradley, but play Adams in the right $*#&*! position already.
Omar Gonzalez – We’ve been over this before, Gregg. We all agreed that Omar doesn’t exist and could fade away quietly in Liga MX and/or Canada. I know he was your roommate/BFF when you played together, but if I have to see him keep another dude onside because he’s too slow to step I’m gonna lose it.
Nick Lima – When you have a chance to call up a guy playing out of position for the San Jose Earthquakes and play him at a complex position you’ve invented for your best player to play out of position…I mean, you have to do it. Right?
Aaron Long – Long is fine if he’s healthy. I still hope he gets a move to a better league so he sees better quality attackers on a consistent basis.
Daniel Lovitz – I guess we’re committed to this LB/CB thing, eh? Lovitz performed barely adequately there against Panama and Costa Rica. This should have been Ventura Alvarado’s spot. I had no idea I’d end up an Alvarado-stan. Life is weird.
Matt Miazga – Miazga had a great last few months with Reading and he’s a total heel. Love him. You know what’s coming now, right?
Tim Ream – I’ve always had a soft spot for Ream. He’s a good ball playing center back. If he can eliminate the one giant boner per game I’ll be fine with this. 32 seems a little old to kick that habit though, doesn’t it?
Walker Zimmerman – I like Walker because he seems like a giant meathead (that’s meant as a compliment) and he mean mugs after scoring headers. He apparently plays a good line breaking pass on occasion as well. Let’s hope he’s above Omar in the pecking order.
Midfielders
Michael Bradley – Whatever. He’s still a pretty good player that should be Tyler Adam’s backup. *sigh*
Duane Holmes – Genuine excitement. He looked really good for Derby this year in the Championship and he was the only bright spot in that display against Jamaica. He should be Pulisic’s backup at the 10 and probably the 1st option off the bench at both wing spots. I’d even be okay with starting him over Arriola at RW tbh.
Weston McKennie – I’m still excited about Weston, but the only time I remember him looking good for the NT was that friendly with Portugal. He needs to show some things in this tournament. Paxton is coming.
Christian Pulisic – I’d still rather see him on the wing in Arriola’s spot, but I get that the offense is set up to make space for him as the team’s most dangerous player. He’ll interchange with whoever the LW is and it’ll be fine, but whenever Mendez or Ledezma can play here and push CP to the wing the US will be a much more dangerous team.
Cristian Roldan – Yawn. I wish this spot had gone to an intriguing youngster, but those guys are all tied up with something atm. He’s serviceable.
Wil Trapp – Another of “Gregg’s Guys™️” that most people are tired of. He was awful against Jamaica and his defense against was/is poor. Against most CONCACAF opponents it’s probably not going to matter, but this is another guy that Adams should be playing in front of.
Forwards
Jozy Altidore – He’s our best forward. I wish it weren’t the case and he’ll probably get injured in the group stage, but what are you going to do?
Paul Arriola – I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. If you are bringing Arriola off the bench to annoy a team for the last 20 minutes…he’s fine. If he is a starter at one of the wings…you aren’t a very good national team.
Tyler Boyd – More genuine excitement. I think he’s going to be good. I’ve watched one entire game he’s played in Turkey and after that viewing I was convinced he is out best non-Pulisic winger. I’ve been wrong before, but I hope he’s a lock starter and proves me right.
Jonathan Lewis – Another of Gregg’s Guys™️. I’m not sure how he’s better than Jonathan Amon other than the fact that he got to be in January camp six months ago. These are the kind of picks that make the US Soccer/SUM MLS player call up quota seem legitimate.
Jordan Morris – *sigh* I thought the injury a couple weeks ago might save us from seeing Morris miscontol balls on the wing again, but alas when you have the chance to take a rusty, slightly-above average MLS player you have to do it.
Gyasi Zardes – The last of Gregg’s Guys™️. I’m sure he’ll be serviceable and frustrating. I can’t wait for Sargent (he should def be here btw), Soto, Pepi, somebody, anybody to break through.
Welp. That’s it. Enjoy the U20 World Cup everyone. Let’s hope there’s a couple more games to go.
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