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Gold Cup final: 5 players to watch

By Clemente Lisi

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 19: Clint Dempsey of United States of America during the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarter Final match between United States of America and El Salvador at Lincoln Financial Field on July 19, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 19: Clint Dempsey of United States of America during the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarter Final match between United States of America and El Salvador at Lincoln Financial Field on July 19, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images) /
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The Gold Cup final could very well be decided by a spectacular save or an amazing goal. Here are the five players to keep an eye on during Wednesday’s final.

The Gold Cup’s championship game between the United States and surprise side Jamaica, to be played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara in suburban San Francisco, is one of the most-anticipated matches of the summer. It will also be the stage for many of the best players CONCACAF (and MLS) have to offer. Here are five players, all hailing from the U.S.’s top flight, to watch for on Wednesday night.

Clint Dempsey

The Seattle Sounders striker has been key for the United States on their quest for the Gold Cup. He’s been involved in three of the team’s last four goals (one goal and two assists) and tied Landon Donovan’s record of 57 career goals for the national team in the recent 2-0 victory versus highly-touted Costa Rica in the semifinals. He had assisted on Jozy Altidore’s goal earlier in the half to put the United States ahead.

Should Dempsey score in the final and lead the United States to victory, he could very well be the tournament’s MVP. Either a starter or as a sub, Dempsey is still a key member of this team a year before the World Cup with his creativity and ability to score. All the talk about how Dempsey could be left off the roster should the Americans qualify for Russia 2018 as expected has been put to rest at this Gold Cup. To think, a year ago his career was on the brink of ending after doctors found in him a heart irregularity. A year later, he finds himself making history.

Darlington Nagbe

The Portland Timbers midfielder has been the engine of this United States team in recent months. Used inconsistently by previous coach Jurgen Klinsmann, Nagbe has become a key player under Arena. Whether at the Gold Cup or in World Cup qualifying, Nagbe has been the player who’s gotten the team’s attack going.

Nagbe has been responsible for a lot of the possession. He has used the wings and the middle effectively to distribute the ball. It was his pass that got the offensive build-up going that resulted in the USMNT’s first goal against Costa Rica. Nagbe has done a phenomenal job breaking up plays by opponents. Whether he’s intercepting the ball, dribbling or chasing after opponents, Nagbe does a lot of the hard work that makes the United States a better team.

Tim Howard

Another of Arena’s late call-ups to the Gold Cup, Howard has played great in net. He recorded shutouts in the two games he’s appeared in (versus El Salvador and Costa Rica) at this tournament. He came up big on two occasions against Costa Rica to get the clean sheet. Howard gets even more credit for this than usual given the inconsistent group of defenders playing in front of him at this tournament.

Howard had lost the starting job to Brad Guzan last summer at the Copa America Centenario under Jurgen Klinsmann, but he seems to be Arena’s No. 1. Howard, no stranger to big games and even bigger saves, will once again be called upon to keep things perfect in the back in the final.

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Andre Blake

The most consistent goalkeeper at this Gold Cup has been the Philadelphia Union’s Andre Blake. He was exceptional in Jamaica’s victory against Canada in the quarterfinals and earned the clean sheet against Mexico in the semis.

Blake has credited MLS for making him a better keeper and that recent tournaments, such as the Gold Cup and last year’s Copa America Centenario, have kept him sharp. He will give the U.S. attack much to worry about in the final.

Darren Mattocks

The Portland Timbers striker will rival Dempsey, his Seattle Sounders rival, for tournament MVP. Mattocks has done everything right and gotten Jamaica to the final after a stunning defeat of heavy favorites Mexico.

Mattocks scored in Jamaica’s 2-1 victory against the United States in the semifinals of the 2015 Gold Cup. At this Gold Cup, Mattocks has scored two goals and has been the driving force behind a surging Jamaica side that could have a few surprises left to deliver at this tournament.

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