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Gold Cup 2017: 5 questions facing the USMNT

By Michael Harshbarger

SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 29: Head coach Bruce Arena of the United States looks on during pregame warm-ups prior to their match against Serbia at Qualcomm Stadium on January 29, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 29: Head coach Bruce Arena of the United States looks on during pregame warm-ups prior to their match against Serbia at Qualcomm Stadium on January 29, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 26: A detailed view of the CONCACAF Gold Cup Trophy before Mexico plays against Jamaica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final at Lincoln Financial Field on July 26, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mexico won, 3-1. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 26: A detailed view of the CONCACAF Gold Cup Trophy before Mexico plays against Jamaica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final at Lincoln Financial Field on July 26, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mexico won, 3-1. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

5. Will not winning the Gold Cup be a failure?

Short answer: no.

Longer answer: it’s complicated.

Arena will surely go in to the tournament expecting to compete for the trophy. His side’s stiffest challenge in Group B will be Panama. The other teams in the group are Nicaragua and Martinique; failing to advance to the knockout round would be a failure.

Mexico, who are coming off a 4-1 thumping at the hands of Germany’s B team in the Confederations Cup, are the favorites. The United States and Costa Rica are next in line as far as the odds go to win the Gold Cup.

But, considering the roster Arena selected, the most important outcomes for the Yanks are a good showing — let’s say a trip to the semifinals — and, maybe more importantly, identifying a few players that can bolster the USMNT as they continue their quest to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Next: Looking back at the USMNT's 2009 Confed Cup run

Should a couple new faces impress and a few old faces make their case, most USMNT fans will feel ok with not winning the championship. Just one request: don’t lose to Mexico, fellas.

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