The strict gold cup test for American men against Costa Rica Keylor Navas

Minynabolis – The real test now begins with this version of the national team for the American men.

It was already an interesting summer for Americans, who miss more than dozens of regulators-including stars such as Christian Polisic and Anton Robinson-for various reasons during the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which continues the hosts in the tournament here on Sunday with a quarter-finals against Costa Rica at the American Bank Stadium (starting at 7 pm on Fox).

After dropping it in friendly matches of the pre -gold Cup to its European opponents, Tarkayi and Switzerland and entering the regional championship with four consecutive losses, USMnt won three collective stages over Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti and the guest of the Saudi nation.

Nothing means anything on Sunday. Just ask Panama, Canada coach, Jesse Marsh, called the favorite title before Los Canalros It was stunned on Saturday by Honduras-a team that the Canadians provided 6-0 in the opening match in the first round only 11 days ago.

“It will be more strict,” said Malik Tillaman on the challenge that Costa Rica posed. “But we all want to win this tournament. If you want to win, you must win against anyone.”

You also need to register. Doing this will not be easy against the Costa Rica goalkeeper Color Color Color. The UEFA Champions League list is three times with Real Madrid, Navas is now 38 years old. But it seemed brave as it was always in this gold cup, which helps his country reach the past eight by achieving a number of major rescue operations, including many amazing diversity in a tie without goals with Mexico in the last game on both sides in team play.

US coach Mauricio Pochettino trained Navas in Paris Saint-Germain during the 2021-22 season. “My memories with Keylor are amazing,” Pochettino said at the press conference before the match on Saturday. “We always admire him, his mentality and quality as a guard. It is a great moment to share with him tomorrow. He is a great player. He is a great goalkeeper, one of the best players in the world.”

Not that the Americans are overlooked.

“His career speaks for herself,” said American veteran Tyler Adams. “It is clear that he is the leader of this team, and I think his ability to organize will become clear that he stops him incredible. But, as you know, I have confidence in my attacker.”

Patrick Ajmang to lead the American attack on the fourth match. “It is good to be able to compete against the best players,” said Ajmang on Saturday.

The high striker of Charlotte FC is among a handful of Americans who deal with the possibility of moving the club during this gold Cup. Ageymang has been linked to the transition to the second layer championship in England. Tillaman, who plays with the Dutch champions Psv Einhoven and leads USMnt with three goals so far in the Gold Cup, is a common goal for German Bayern Leverkusen.

Midfielder Johnny Cardoso, doubtful on Sunday, was visited by an ankle injury, by Atletico Madrid doctor in Minnesota before what is expected to be a transfer of more than $ 30 million from the real Betis in Spain. Even Pochittino was in the news. The Argentine told me on Saturday that he was fully committed to USMnt during the World Cup next summer and mocked a report that he was recently interviewed by the English club Princeford.

“This is not a distraction at all,” said defender Walker Zimmerman, who is looking for his first start in this gold cup. “Those who were in those talks, and they know that the better they play here, and the continuous success of the team, will help them in their individual career and movements.”

Inside the camp, the priority is clear. Ajmang said: “The national team is all that we focus on now.”

It should be in this way against the opponent that the Americans know can harm them if you give the opportunity

“We have to understand that they may be more dangerous when we have a ball, because one mistake and they are ready to pounce,” Adams said. “We cannot be unhappy, because they can lure you in a game where you have a lot of possession.

“This is exactly what they want,” Adams continued. “One opportunity and they are in the other direction.”

However, the United States loves their chances. Even with the missing meters of many regular people, there was a quiet building of confidence in the ranks this month.

“We have talent, we have the ability,” said defender Tim Reem. “But it is about being severe and aggressive with the ball and without the ball.” “This will be the key to us, and make sure that we are transferring this message to all players – especially those who do not get used to these types of situations and these types of games.

Reem added: “Everyone is on the same page now.” “Everyone is ready to go.”

Doug Macinterre is a soccer correspondent for Fox Sport who covered US National teams for men and women at the FIFA World Cup on five continents. Follow it @Bydougmcintyre.

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