I know many footy fans don't want to acknowledge this, but it's a down cycle for us in terms of talent. Our top WC performers are past their primes all though they'll help, those being guys like Donovan, Dempsey, Jones and Chero, and our younger prospects are still a few years from their primes, guys like Mix, Johannson, Besler, and Fabian. Bradley will be vital to our success but Jozy is in a bad club situation. Our other strikers are damn young. I think our wing play is horrible and I have little confidence in a guy like Zusi at the WC level against Germany or Portugal, even Ghana. Our backline is a considerable worry as I have little confidence in an all-MLS, Gonzo/Besler pairing at this level as well.
Next two cycles imo will be better. We're stuck now with the old guard kind of being on their last legs and the new guard still being a few years away. But imagine guys like Brooks, Fabian, Jozy, Boyd, Agudelo, Mix, Johannson, Shea, Nagbe(yes pdxkingsfan, he'll be a NTer next cycle) among a few others come 2018. We might not have a Landon level player at that point, but across the board we'll have more talent and technical ability than we've ever had. Next generation has some serious talent, just needs time and this summer is too soon.
Still think we can beat Ghana and draw Portugal, then we see what 4 points gets us. Could also see us losing all three.