USMNT vs. Cuba, 2015 Gold Cup: Lineups and match thread

The United States is back at it today. They got four days off after the Gold Cup group stage and now begin the knockout stages, three wins away from capturing the confederation championship.

This may be the Americans' easiest game of the tournament, at least on paper. Cuba are a very bad team and were out-scored eight to one in the group stage. Moreover, they're only getting worse with five players now off the team after defecting. Simply put, the U.S. should roll.

Jurgen Klinsmann is using yet another new defense, as Omar Gonzalez comes in for the suspended John Brooks, but Ventura Alvrado stays in the central defense, along with Timothy Chandler and Fabian Johnson at fullback. With Jozy Altidore off the team, Clint Dempsey and Aaron Johannsson get the nods up top, while Alejandro Bedoya and Gyasi Zardes are on the wings o the midfield diamond that probably won't actually play like a diamond.

United States: Guzan; Chandler, Gonzalez, Alvarado, Johnson; Zardes, Beckerman, Bradley, Bedoya; Johannsson, Dempsey