Yet, as the dust settled at Rio Tinto Stadium following the USA's scrappy 1-0 win against an injury-riddled Honduras side, the top of the in this final stage of qualifying was firmly in the USA's possession, and it was certainly no less than they deserved. Though the outing scarcely mirrored the passing clinic Klinsmann's men put on in Seattle, the increasingly cohesive defensive partnership of Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler earned a few more stripes, and Fabian Johnson continued to show his worth once again in setting Jozy Altidore up perfectly for a fourth goal in four games. With such vital pieces of the puzzle clicking now, the enthusiasm in the American camp could hardly be any higher.
With confidence sky high at the moment, there is perhaps no better time for the USA to head into this summer's Gold Cup. We can't forget, however, that the product we see on the field next month will look a bit different than what we've grown accustomed to of late.
What will the back line look like next month? One would just about hope that Matt Besler and Omar Gonzalez would be able to continue starring at the heart of the USA's defense in the Gold Cup, but it is likewise foreseeable that Sporting Kansas City and the LA Galaxy respectively may not be too keen on being without their much-needed center backs for yet another stretch of league games.
Though the likes of Oguchi Onyewu and Carlos Bocanegra appear on Klinsmann's preliminary Gold Cup roster and offer some degree of veteran security if they are indeed called into action, you can bet that Klinsmann would prefer to give his burgeoning defense even more time to solidify.
Where will the goals come from in Jozy Altidore's absence? Only a few weeks ago such a question might have seemed rather laughable, but as this game goes, fortunes can change in the blink of an eye. With Altidore heading back over to Europe instead of taking part in the Gold Cup, expect Eddie Johnson and Herculez Gomez to shoulder much of this burden. Given the improved form that Eddie Johnson has shown in a US shirt of late, this might not be the worst of propositions.
How might Landon Donovan figure into the mix? It's been quite some time since we've seen Landon Donovan in a US shirt, and with other important players set to miss the Gold Cup, there is probably no better stage on which he can show that he still has a part to play with this team. His form has been steadily improving with the Galaxy following his return to soccer, so the hope is that this form will translate to the international stage nicely next month. Don't be surprised if he takes Dempsey's more central role just behind the main striker.
Who starts in goal? This is probably one department of the preliminary roster that is not being talked about as much as it should be. With both Tim Howard and Brad Guzan left off of the roster, one of Tally Hall, Sean Johnson, and Nick Rimando, and Bill Hamid will be taking charge in goal in July. The safe money might be on Rimando, but Klinsmann could have something else in mind entirely.
Even with some crucial players going back to their clubs for preseason training, there are still plenty of reasons for American fans to have a rather positive view of the USA's chances of bringing home CONCACAF's continental trophy. The roster that will ultimately be at Jürgen Klinsmann's disposal will still have plenty to offer in the ways of experience and talent, and the players staying over from this last round of qualifiers will hopefully project the confidence that has permeated the national team of late onto those coming into the fold. Success in the Gold Cup would be yet another sign that Klinsmann finally has his side going on an upward trajectory that the fans have so longed for since he was appointed.
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