Klinsmann warning for US as football CONCACAF Gold Cup kicks off

Jurgen Klinsmann says the United States will have to defend their CONCACAF Gold Cup crown the hard way as the tournament kicks off on Tuesday with the region's governing body still reeling from the FIFA corruption scandal.

The USA, riding high after a thrilling World Cup campaign last year and recent friendly wins over Germany and the Netherlands, start as favourites for the July 7-26 biennial tournament.

But Klinsmann has warned his players to expect a rough ride from opponents who are likely to defend in numbers, in contrast to the World Cup, where opponents were more adventurous against a US side regarded as underdogs.

"We are under the expectations of winning this tournament," Klinsmann said. "Even if we know that teams like Honduras, Costa Rica and Mexico all are very good teams and can also beat us, you've got to be on top of things.

"It's not going to be an open game like in a World Cup where you have the best teams in the world and they just go at you. In most of our games in the Gold Cup, it's going to be the opposite.

"They're going to defend first of all and then hope for a counter break or for a set piece to score against us."

Klinsmann has named a strong squad for the tournament, drawing heavily on veterans of the World Cup in Brazil, as he aims to forge a winning mentality.

The Americans open their campaign against Group A opponents Honduras in Dallas on Tuesday, with 2013 runners-up Panama playing Haiti in the day's other match, which is being played at the same venue as part of a double-header.

- Mexico, Costa Rica threat -

The biggest threat to American hopes is likely to emerge from traditional powerhouses Mexico and Costa Rica, two teams who also advanced to the knockout rounds of the World Cup last year.

Costa Rica, who stunned Italy and Uruguay in Brazil before losing on penalties to the Netherlands in the last eight, are in Group B with El Salvador, Canada, and Jamaica.

Coach Paulo Wanchope admitted that 'Los Ticos' stunning World Cup performances had increased expectations on his side.

"It will be a big challenge for us," he said. "Everyone will now expect Costa Rica to play great football and win against any team."

Mexico coach Miguel Herrera has meanwhile challenged his players to atone for their dismal first round exit at the Copa America by wresting back the Gold Cup, which it has dominated since its inception in 1991.

"We have to accept the failure of the Copa America and go to the Gold Cup with the belief that we are going to win it," said Herrera, whose side face Guatemala, Trinidad & Tobago and Cuba in Group C.

Mexico's preparations were dealt a hammer blow last week after Manchester United striker Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez suffered a fractured collarbone which ruled him out of the tournament.

However Herrera's attacking options have been strengthened by the return from self-imposed exile of Real Sociedad striker Carlos Vela, back in the fold after a three-year spat with Mexican football chiefs.

While the identity of the side who will ultimately lift the title in Philadelphia on July 26 is anyone's guess, there is also uncertainty about who will present the trophy for CONCACAF, which has been rocked by the US investigation into football corruption.

CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb might normally be expected to do the honours -- but he is currently languishing in a prison cell in Switzerland fighting extradition to the United States after being arrested in Zurich on May 27.

Influential Costa Rican official Eduardo Li, who had been due to be elected to FIFA's executive-committee, was also arrested during the Swiss swoop which later widened to include a raid on CONCACAF's offices in Miami.
Source: AFP