USA forward Gyasi Zardes (20) battles for the ball with Panama player Armardo Cooper (11). (Photo : Reuters)
The 2015 Gold Cup quarterfinals is on and opening the knockout stages is a match between defending champions United States versus Group C third-place team Cuba at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, July 18.
Team USA coach Jürgen Klinsmann made three roster changes before the Saturday quarters, taking in veteran defender DaMarcus Beasley, midfielder Joe Corona, and forward Alan Gordon to replace Greg Garza, Alfredo Morales, and Jozy Altidore in their respective positions, via the MLS website.
Coming off a seemingly relaxed 1-1 draw with Panama on Monday, Klinsmann brought in the three players as they were part of the team that won this tournament back in 2013.
Beasley, captain of the 2013 squad, is the most experienced American player with 121 caps and actually came back from international retirement to don the US colors once more upon the coach's call-up. He will again try to lead the Stars and Stripes to the title but under current team captain Michael Bradley.
Cuba stunned Guatemala in the last day of group qualifications, beating Los Chapines 1-0 at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
Leones del Caribe have not scored a goal in their previous two matches while conceding a total of eight, which made the win over Guatemala the upset of the tournament so far, according to Fox Sports.
The prediction is a 3-0 thrashing for Team USA over the Lions of the Caribbean. An upset is highly unlikely, although the score may be closer than expected.
United States starting lineup (4-3-2-1 formation): Guzan; Beasley, Alvarado, Brooks, Johnson; Beckerman, Bedoya, Bradley; Corona, Zardes; Dempsey
Cuba starting lineup (5-3-2 formation): Guerra; Diz, Márquez, Corrales, Napoles, Vaquero; Luis, Clavelo, Gómez; Martínez, Reyes
