The memories may have mostly faded from the United States men's national team missing the 2018 World Cup at the hands of Trinidad and Tobago, but kicking off the Gold Cup by facing them, the opportunity for a spiral into darkness is there.

Not part of the USMNT squad for the continental tournament include (but is not exclusive to) Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna and Sergiño Dest. Missing so many key players in the USMNT's last real competition before the 2026 World Cup — which the U.