Gold Cup 2017: 5 questions facing the USMNT

2. Which veteran cements his spot going forward?

While the majority of the U.S. Gold Cup roster is young and/or inexperienced, Arena brought along a few battle-tested veterans. He did this for a few reasons. One is for their leadership and experience. Another, it would seem, is to give them a chance to reestablish themselves as viable options for the rest of the 2018 World Cup qualifying cycle.

Defenders Matt Besler and Omar Gonzalez and midfielder Alejandro Beodya have all logged significant World Cup minutes, but each has seen their involvement in the national team dwindle over the past few years.

Besler and Gonzalez have slid down the USMNT center-back depth chart due to the rise of John Brooks and the consistency of Geoff Cameron. They would appear to be the first choice center-back partnership for the Gold Cup, but Arena will want to give quality minutes to youngsters Matt Hedges (FC Dallas) and Matt Miazga (Chelsea).

A good performance at the Gold Cup would make it harder for Arena to give future playing time to the young ones over his veterans. However, a poor display could see either Gonzalez or Besler, or both, fade into obscurity.

Bedoya has seen his minutes with the Yanks slashed for various reasons, including Fabian Johnson finally being deployed as a wide midfielder and Darlington Nagbe becoming a trusted asset. But the meteoric rise of Christian Pulisic has sucked up a lot of playing time that may have gone to the Philadelphia Union player.

Bedoya is a fine two-way player, but lacks the pace or nose for goal that would make him harder to replace. If he can wield his experience and display valuable leadership, while making a few plays, the 30-year-old would make the case for increased minutes in a talented and crowded USMNT midfield.