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Ten hopes, one fear for USMNT ahead of Copa Semis

By Sean Maslin

Jun 16, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; United States forward Clint Dempsey (middle) is hugged by midfielder Alejandro Bedoya (right) following a 2-1 victory against Ecuador during quarter-final play in the 2016 Copa America Centenario soccer tournament at Century Link Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; United States forward Clint Dempsey (middle) is hugged by midfielder Alejandro Bedoya (right) following a 2-1 victory against Ecuador during quarter-final play in the 2016 Copa America Centenario soccer tournament at Century Link Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; United States defender John Brooks (6) in action against Paraguay in the group play stage of the 2016 Copa America Centenario. at Lincoln Financial Field. The United States won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; United States defender John Brooks (6) in action against Paraguay in the group play stage of the 2016 Copa America Centenario. at Lincoln Financial Field. The United States won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Hope #4: That John Anthony Brooks can put in another quality performance.

John Anthony Brooks has arrived. After a few growing pains with the Stars and Stripes Brooks seems to have finally put all of the pieces together and has grown into one of the best center-backs from North or South America.

Although one could have made the argument that he already shown this while at Hamburg his performances against Colombia, Paraguay, Costa Rica, and Ecuador have cemented this status.

The question now is can he do this against some of the world’s best strikers.

Aside from Colombia, none of the other three teams can honestly boast having world-class strikers on their eighteen man roster.

The Colombia match provides some clues as Brooks was able to handle Quinteiro and James Rodriguez fairly well. The question now is can he do it against the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, or Angel Di Maria. Even Salomon Rondon of Venezuela could pose problems.

Next: Hope #5: That Clint Dempsey never retires

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