da betsson： Though the majority of the team's biggest stars have been given the tournament off, the Stars and Stripes will still be among the favourites

da dobrowin： We're just days removed from the United States men's national team's Nations League triumph and two dominant wins over Mexico and Canada. Several USMNT stars will likely still be washing away the champagne smell and, yet, here we are, looking ahead to the next summer tournament.

Just six days after finishing off the Nations League in Las Vegas, the U.S. will kickstart the Gold Cup in Chicago. There's no rest during a CONCACAF summer, that's for sure. Still, the USMNT set to compete in this second summer tournament will be very different than the one that won the first. Gone are the likes of Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun and Weston McKennie, as this roster has just five holdovers from the Nations League team.

In place of the established stars, interim coach B.J. Callaghan is taking charge of a squad filled with young upstarts and veterans looking for one last push. From two-time World Cup veteran DeAndre Yedlin to teenagers like Cade Cowell, there's an interesting mix.

That mix, though, still could be good enough to win the Gold Cup, but it will be a challenge, much as it was in 2021 when the U.S. pulled off their first CONCACAF double. Doing so again will require several players to take leaps forward, although there are plenty capable of using this tournament as a springboard to bigger and better things.

With that said, here's a look at what to watch out for with the USMNT at the Gold Cup:

GettyTurner (and Slonina) in goal

The goalkeeper position is perhaps the most interesting one on the field for the U.S., as the goalkeeper of the present and the goalkeeper of the future have both been named to the squad.

Matt Turner is sticking with the team after the Nations League triumph, and he likely isn't sticking around to sit on the bench. He is the USMNT's No.1, after all, and all signs point to him being starter for the meaningful games in this tournament.

Still, it will be interesting to see if Gabriel Slonina gets any minutes, as the Chelsea youngster is also in the team after shining at the Under-20 World Cup. Slonina is widely seen as a superstar in the making and, after making his USMNT debut in January, it seems to be a matter of when, not if, he gets his crack at the No.1 spot.

This summer may be a bit too soon for him, but it'll be a good experience, at least, learning under Turner and Sean Johnson, two World Cup veterans.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesRobinson's return to form

With the full team, Miles Robinson very well could be the go-too starter. He was phenomenal against Mexico in the Nations League and, like Turner, is one of the holdovers from that squad.

A devastating Achilles injury kept him out of the World Cup last fall, but Robinson is looking back to his old self. Still, getting reps in the Gold Cup will be good for him, especially as he continues to draw European interest.

How many games can Robinson go? It remains to be seen. So far, the USMNT has taken it easy with him by limiting his minutes somewhat. We know that Robinson will play quality minutes at the Gold Cup, but the quantity is the mystery, especially considering the other veteran center-backs in the team.

Look out for Jalen Neal, too, who could make an impact despite being one of the younger members of the squad.

GettyYoung full-backs making a push

Of the full-backs in the squad just one, DeAndre Yedlin, has significant USMNT experience. John Tolkin, Bryan Reynolds and DeJuan Jones, meanwhile, are all players that are looking to make a rise up the depth chart, with all having the ability to play a key role this cycle.

Tolkin is the youngest of the bunch, and it could be argued he has the highest ceiling. A standout in MLS with the New York Red Bulls, Tolkin is seen as a future European transfer, with many outside of North America already taking notice of his abilities.

Reynolds, meanwhile, has three caps to his name and is back with the USMNT after having a difficult time with his own European adventure. His time with Roma has been a mess, but a loan to Westerlo in Belgium helped him regain some much-needed confidence ahead of the Gold Cup.

And then there's Jones, the New England Revolution star. He's the oldest of this trio at 25, but he's looked solid in his two USMNT caps thus far. He'll battle with Tolkin for a spot on the left, while Reynolds and Yedlin will duke it out on the right-hand side.

Left-back, in particular, is a position of interest for the USMNT, who have been looking for a back-up to Antonee Robinson for some time. Could it be Tolkin or Jones? We'll find out this summer.

Getty ImagesWhat's up with Aidan Morris?

One of the more interesting inclusions and another dual-national battle the U.S. has won. Morris has drawn interest from Canada, and could be a key player for them. He, ultimately, opted for the U.S., though, saying: "I think my heart felt more comfortable and more shaped towards the U.S. than Canada. That’s no disrespect towards Canada, it’s just where I’ve grown up and something I’ve been working towards my whole life."

That's good news for the USMNT, as the 21-year-old midfielder has been playing well in MLS. He's the youngest player in league history to start an MLS Cup, having helped lift the Columbus Crew to the 2020 title, and he's only grown as a midfielder since then. A defensive-minded option, Morris could be an answer at the senior level, where there isn't really a backup in Tyler Adams' mold.

This is a good tryout for him to prove he can be that guy, and perhaps more, in the years to come.