Tsakiris came into this tournament with the most Youth International and club experience and that has shown so far in the tournament. He has looked like one of the best players on the field in every game he has played and has looked consistently dangerous. It was his moment of brilliance that carried the United States past Costa Rica in what was otherwise an ugly game.

Habroune has been the breakout star of the tournament so far. He put together a masterclass performance against Cuba and has looked lively in his other two sub appearances. His ability to carry the ball into the final third and make plays has been preeminent for this group. 

The United States have not  been under very much defensive pressure in the tournament so far and as a result have not conceded a goal. They really have not given up a dangerous chance at all. Cobb has been the top defender for me. He has been positionally sound, alert and his distribution has been reliable. He has hit a few big diagonal switches that have tilted the field as well. 

Both Figueroa and Zambrano have been solid at striker, but Zambrano has two goals and has been very good in hold up and link up play. His technical ability on the ball gives the United States a reliable target to play off of and he has created some very good chances in the final third. 

As a team, the United States has performed fairly well, though the level of competition makes it tough to evaluate how well. The Costa Rica game was by far their most disjointed and sluggish performance. You could blame that on the field quality, the way Costa Rica played and you can also blame it on the United States’ themselves, who’s passing was not very crisp. 
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Overall I thought the United States played physical and disruptive against the ball at the right times. Their counter-pressing moments were effective and they were abundant in their duels. Defensively, they were mostly sound and did not allow many dangerous chances. Their midfield play was dominant throughout and they managed the tempo of the games well. Offensively I thought they were decent in the final third. They put together some really interesting patterns of play and aside from the Costa Rica match, created a ton of dangerous chances. I also thought their set piece effectiveness was pretty high and that could play a key role later in the tournament. 
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I think Nsien has put together a solid plan and his players have executed it well so far. He has gotten his team playing hard and with bravery. 

I expect Nsien to keep rotating his squad from game to game, but he might start to hone in on a best eleven as they get closer to the trophy. After three games, these are my choices for the best eleven players. There are a few positions where I think you can go either way. 

I think Eyestone has the most talent of all three keepers and he was called on to do the most against Cuba and looked up for it.

Neither player has shined for me, nor have they been a problem. I probably give the edge to Norris because of his experience and he is a leader on the team. 

I think Hawkins has outplayed Norris at center-back and he provides some much needed size in central defense. He has been mostly clean playing out of the back as well. 

As stated, Cobb has been the top defender for me so far in this tournament.

I know he has only played 30 minutes so far, but I think he is the better player and if he is available, would be in my starting lineup. 

Soma offers a little more than Raines, but Raines has been solid so far. I could go either way here.

Habroune is a must start in a must win game. He has been as dynamic and dangerous as any player for the United States so far. 

Tsakiris is the engine of this midfield and has been one of the most impactful players on the team so far. 

It has been up and down for Berchimas who is the youngest player on this team and that was to be expected. I start him because he has the most game breaking ability of any of the wingers.  

Vazquez got off to a super hot start with a brace in the first minutes of the tournament. He has cooled off since then and has not been super impactful, but I still think he is the best option at right-wing. 

I think both center-forwards have played well, especially working back to the ball and linking up play. Zambrano has been more effective in the final third, so he likely gets the nod, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Figueroa either — I think a scoring breakthrough is coming. 

The next game is an important one because a win qualifies the United States for the 2025 U20 World Cup in Chile. The quarterfinal match will take place on either July 30th at 5pm EST and will be against Guatemala.

So far, the United States, Mexico and Panama look like the strongest teams and the United States may need to go through both to win the tournament. The United States go into the knockout stage in good health and decent form. From what I saw in the group stage, they should be the favorites to win the tournament, however, if they do meet Mexico in the finals, it will be a very hostile environment.