The Gold Cup, traditionally, has been an opportunity for U.S. men's national team players and this year's edition is no different as it comes at the start of a World Cup cycle. The USMNT player pool is currently transforming as the focus moves away from 2022 and towards 2026. The squad has several young players that could be a real force by the time the next World Cup rolls around and it also includes several veterans fighting to keep their place.
But the most interesting player in the squad might just be Matt Miazga, a player that falls right in the middle of those two descriptions. At 27, Miazga is very much in his prime and he does have 23 caps to his name, but just five of those have come in the last four years.
Miazga never quite broke through during Gregg Berhalter's first cycle and, upon the expiration of the coach's contract, the former Chelsea center-back certainly let loose. He said he felt "screwed" under the previous regime and was looking forward to a new chance and a clean slate under a new manager.
Berhalter, of course, has since returned, making that slate far less clean than it could have been.
Because of that, this tournament is massive for Miazga, who may not get a chance quite like this again. As the center-back pool shifts, Miazga could very well put himself into the mix with a good tournament as he looks to impress Berhalter.
If Miazga wants to ensure he doesn't feel screwed again in three years time, moments like this are the ones he'll have to seize.