BALTIMORE — The United States didn’t overwhelm through the CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage, but they’re complete, consistent and clearly confident. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann anted up Friday, proclaiming his squad the favorite to win the entire tourney and hoist the trophy July 26 in Philadelphia.
The U.S. managed to grind its way to a first-place finish in the toughest group to set up Saturday’s quarterfinal against Cuba at M & T Bank Stadium. Despite being wary of a Cuba team that has advanced despite travel woes and at least four defections, the U.S. has its eyes on a bigger prize: The Confederations Cup, which will be played in Russia in 2017, featuring the champions of FIFA’s six confederations, including CONCACAF.
“I think we are definitely the team to beat in this tournament. It was not perfect the way we went through the group stage, but it was impressive,’’ Klinsmann said. “I see a group very focused on the title, because of the outcome. Win this and you’ll play the Confederations Cup against big teams.
“Seeing all the ups and downs other teams went through, we were very consistent in what we do. Not saying it was perfect, but we’re consistent. … There was never any feeling or doubt of not winning that group, which was the most difficult one. That gives us confidence to go to the next game and take the game to them.’’
The U.S. had some stellar post-World Cup results, with a rout of Mexico and wins on European soil over the Netherlands and World Cup champion Germany. They have struggled to rediscover that form in the Gold Cup, and have been steady but unspectacular in the group stage.
“After the World Cup, this Gold Cup has been our big goal,’’ said midfielder and captain Michael Bradley. “We’ve had some good friendlies along the way, but since the World Cup ended, our focus has been lifting this trophy.’’
Even with defender John Brooks suspended, the U.S. is the likely favorites with Bradley, Clint Dempsey and solid discipline. But in the Gold Cup, one never knows. Just ask Mexico, after Wednesday’s wild 4-4 draw with Trinidad and Tobago, the kind of drama the U.S. has avoided — and hopes to keep staying away from on Saturday.
“I say this with total endearment. It’s ridiculous,’’ Bradley said before practice Friday. “You see that every game is a dogfight. Every game is close and hard. It’s exactly what we expected.”
Cuba has shown plenty of fight.
After getting routed 6-0 by Mexico in its opener — a game coach Raul Gonzalez and six players all missed because of visa woes — Cuba lost 2-0 to Trinidad and Tobago and didn’t look long for the tourney. But the Cubans upset Guatemala 1-0 to sneak into the knockout round despite at least four defections.
Forward Keiler Garcia defected before the opener, backup goalkeeper Arael Arguellez deserted the team and disappeared, Dario Suarez and Aricheel Hernandez went absent before the group finale.
“It’s absolutely not [a distraction]. What’s most important for us are the players that are here…. The players that we have are the ones we have. The ones you see are the ones we have,’’ said Gonzalez, adding the 19 players he has will be enough to face U.S. team he considers the favorite to claim the Gold Cup.
“We have a very tough top opponent. We think they are the favorite team. … They’ve beaten teams that are important, like Germany and Holland. It might not have been [getting blowouts], but in football results are what matters.’’