At some point, the U.S. has to play like the tournament favorite they're projected to be.
Despite holding home-field advantage, USMNT underwhelmed - at best - throughout the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup's first three matches, narrow defeating Honduras and Haiti by one goal before drawing with Panama in last week's Group A finale. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann used 21 of 23 players in the span, then brought in three replacement players for Saturday's match with Cuba.
Only U.S captain Michael Bradley and goalkeeper Brad Guzan started all three group games.
As if fatigue wasn't a big enough factor, the American face an impetuous Cuban team working through some in-house drama. All USMNT can expect is the unexpected.
"I say this with total endearment: it's a ridiculous tournament," Bradley said Friday in a press conference. "Between the travel, the short turnaround between games, grass being laid over [artificial] turf, the weather - it's a huge challenge."
Los Leones hold a -7 goal differential following a 1-0 win over Guatemala that warily guaranteed them a quarterfinal slot. They've lost six players, four to defection - most recently losing striker Ariel Martinez on Wednesday - and didn't have head coach Raul Gonzalez Triana for the Group C final against the Guatemalans in Chicago.
Still, Gonzalez is confident in his strewn-together squad. "We have 19 players, which I think is enough to play the game," Gonzalez said. "But we know we will have to be very focused defensively."
Defensive focus may not be enough to defeat the American heavyweights, who have won the past eight meetings against the island nation by a combined 29-5 score. Nineteen men who seldom play on the international stage will need more than willpower to beat the USMNT.
When: Saturday, July 18, 2015
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Md.
Kick-off: 5:00 p.m. EST
Live Stream: FOX Soccer 2Go, Univision Deportes (Spanish)
TV: FOX, Univision Deportes (Spanish)
Predictions: Cuba's inexperience and lack of potent strikers will end their tournament run. USA 3-0