Seven U.S. men's national team players who boosted their Gold Cup chances

Time is running out for the huge crowd in Jurgen Klinsmann's player pool to make enough of an impression to be included in the United States' Gold Cup roster this summer.

[FC Yahoo: U.S. overcomes Altidore red card, holds on for draw in Switzerland]

Indeed, the friendlies against Denmark and Switzerland this past week represented the last time until June that the entire "A" team will be together. All that remains is the April 15 game against Mexico for players based in Major League Soccer and the June series of matches against the Netherlands and Germany. That time, however, will surely be used to put the finishing touches on the tournament team, rather than to undertake wholesale construction.

So, because we're the judgmental types over here at FC Yahoo, we thought we'd break down which players have helped their cases over these last two friendlies.

Nick Rimando

With Tim Howard on a year-long sabbatical, the starting goalkeeper job is up for grabs. The assumption had been that Brad Guzan would slide into the role, given that he has been the understudy forever and become a mainstay with Aston Villa of the English Premier League. But Klinsmann is clearly enamored by the Real Salt Lake goalie, who will turn 36 before the tournament starts. And he did nothing to change his manager's mind while Guzan sat out the games in anticipation of the birth of a child. In a full game against Denmark and half of one against Switzerland, he was ever so solid between the sticks – even if he sent a few errant passes in the latter game. And don't forget that he was in goal for the 2013 Gold Cup triumph as well.

Greg Garza

Garza has quickly become a mainstay after this summer and he has been very dependable at the long-time problem position at left back. Against Denmark, he was probably the only defender who acquitted himself well over the course of the game. And if he doesn't make the team as a starter – Fabian Johnson and Brek Shea appear to be his primary competition – he will surely make it as a backup, since his rivals can play elsewhere as well.

John Brooks

For a time, it was hard to see why Klinsmann considered the young German-American central defender ready for senior team action, especially when he had such a glut of alternatives. You wondered if he was merely trying to lock him up to head off any would-be Germany career at the pass. But while far from perfect in these games, and still very much a work in progress, Brooks made clear gains in composure from the first game to the second. He still loses his man too often, but he finally managed to cut out the big mistakes against Switzerland.

Brek Shea

Since he was reinvented as a left back at his new club, Orlando City SC, Shea has instantly resurfaced into the national team picture. Against Switzerland, which has a wealth of tricky wingers, he managed to get through the game without ever feeling any real positional discomfort in his new spot. He pushed forward and contributed to the attack. And then, of course, he scored the U.S.'s only goal off a free kick. Hey, remember who scored the winner in the 2013 Gold Cup final? That's right. Dane Brekken Shea.

Alejandro Bedoya

There was never any doubt that Bedoya, who has played well week in and week out in the French league with Nantes, will be on the team this summer. He was fairly anonymous in central midfield against Denmark, sitting deep to help shield the defense and get possession started. But he stood out on the right flank in the second game against Switzerland. In a 4-4-2 formation, Bedoya could have another bumper Gold Cup out wide, the way he did in 2011.

Danny Williams

At some point in the last World Cup cycle, Williams fell out of contention for a roster spot in Brazil. The likely explanation is that the holding midfielder's indiscipline – he was prone to a rash tackle or two a game – cost him the job to Kyle Beckerman. Against Switzerland on Tuesday, he looked clean on the ball and in much better control. Having just turned 26, he's six years younger than Beckerman and looks like the natural successor now.

Gyasi Zardes

This one comes with a fat asterisk. Zardes isn't there yet. But Klinsmann has showed a willingness to call young players with an obviously bright future up regularly to give them the exposure he thinks they need. Zardes clearly brims with talent, but he had trouble keeping up at times in these games. Then again, he didn't seem overwhelmed by the occasion mentally and it's not like the American team is awash with good options up front or out wide at the moment.

Leander Schaerlaeckens is a soccer columnist for Yahoo Sports. Follow him on Twitter @LeanderAlphabet.

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