US National Team

Graham Zusi: Gold Cup "very winnable" for US men's national team

Graham Zusi USMNT Ghana

NASHVILLE ā€” When San Zusi speaks, USMNT-watchers should listen. And hereā€™s what Zusi ā€“ of course, real name, Graham Zusi ā€“ said, on Monday, of the USā€™ chances in the Gold Cup: 


ā€œI think itā€™s very much a winnable tournament for us."


So, yes, heā€™s saying we have a chance. And the Sporting Kansas City defender and national team veteran delivered that coolly ā€“ so coolly, in fact, that a sudden deluge during this post-training interview didnā€™t ruffle his feathers (or trademark locks) at all. 


But more seriously, Zusi, fresh off a turn at the recent monster USMNT 1-1 draw at the Azteca, knows that in this relative newcomer-filled squad, his role now serves as that of a veteran leader. And heā€™s happy about how things are looking so far. 

ā€œI think every guy whoā€™s come into this camp has made a strong statement for themselves,ā€ he said. ā€œYoung and [older], and I think every game or every player on the team is going to get an opportunity to be on the field in this tournament.ā€


Zusiā€™s now seen almost a full change-up of the senior squad since June, and heā€™s positive ā€“ as US teammate Kelyn Rowealso said ā€“ about how things are starting to click. ā€œI thought for the most part it was a good performance by us,ā€ he said of the teamā€™s performance in this past Saturdayā€™s victorious 2-1 friendly vs. Ghana. ā€œThere are always things to grow on, but for a first match, throwing a bunch of guys out there who havenā€™t played a whole lot together, I thought it was about as much as we could ask for.ā€


So with that in mind, thereā€™s just one objective starting this Saturday, when the US kick off the tournament against Panama (4:30 pm ET). ā€œWe donā€™t have to get ahead of ourselves; we still have the group stage to worry about, and then weā€™ll take it game by game from there,ā€ Zusi said. ā€œWeā€™re pretty much looking to do nothing else but win this tournament."