'We understand the standard' - Diego Luna and Malik Tillman feast on opportunity, Matt Turner and Johnny Cardoso left wanting: USMNT stock up, stock down after Gold Cup

For the first time in his USMNT career, Malik Tillman was allowed to be a big fish in a small pond. He lived up to that label, taking control to establish himself as a bona fide starter one year out from the World Cup.

From the start, Tillman proved he was clearly in a different class technically, so much so that it took his teammates time to realize just how little space he needed to make things happen. He continually delivered, scoring or assisting in all but two of the games in this tournament. When the U.S. generated a big chance, Tillman was often on the end of it, which went a long way towards building his confidence.

"Malik is one, the quietest guy ever, but he's leading by example," Ream said. "You have guys who are more vocal and guys who lead by example so finding more of those and unearthing more of those within this group has been a really big positive."

That confidence should carry over when the USMNT veterans rejoin the squad. Tillman no longer has reason to defer when with the "A team" arrive. He's comfortably part of it now. He translated his PSV successes to the national team, erasing any doubt about whether or not he could contribute at the international level.

It could have been a summer for Matt Turner to rebuild his confidence. Instead, it was a summer to build up a competitor for that No. 1 goalkeeper spot.

Matt Freese, not Turner, was in goal for the U.S. all summer, leaving the Crystal Palace goalkeeper on the bench. It was his time on the sidelines at Palace that put him in this scenario, a lack of playing time that opened up a race. Now, Turner will have a lot of work to do to make up ground, as the USMNT went 5-1 with Freese as the starter in the Gold Cup run.

Turner, to his credit, handled it fantastically. Throughout the Gold Cup, he was frequently seen tutoring Freese, who had nothing but good things to say about the veteran. Turner wasn't bitter; he was helpful, and that goes a long way.

Still, if Turner wants to be the starter next summer the way he was back in Qatar, he'll need to play on the club level. That message was sent quite clearly by Pochettino and his staff. A move to Lyon may or may not be in the cards but, no matter where Turner does end up, all that matters is that he gets minutes. If not, the door will remain open for Freese, Zack Steffen and Patrick Schulte with the World Cup looming.

Where to begin with the USMNT's Moon Man? He's become a cult hero and, arguably, already among this team's biggest stars. Based on this summer, he's also likely bound for the World Cup next summer, too.

Pochettino has been enamored with him since January, and for good reason. He brings attitude, heart and fight to a team that has, at times, lacked all of those qualities. Just boiling him down to that shortchanges him, however. Luna, at his core, is also one hell of a player, one with quality and creativity.

He sparked this team often in this tournament. He was the difference-maker against Guatemala and Costa Rica. He had two assists, one that should have been a goal, against Trinidad & Tobago in the opener, too. In the end, Luna finished with five combined goals and assists, level with Tillman in the Gold Cup. Only Panama's Ismael Diaz had more.

Luna isn't going anywhere. The question is no longer if he can contribute to the USMNT, but whether he's made a case to start in the final few camps leading up to the World Cup.

As with Tillman, Cardoso entered this USMNT camp with open questions. Despite all of his club successes, which have led to a reported move to Atletico Madrid, Cardoso never looked particularly good in a USMNT shirt. The hope was that this Gold Cup would change that.

Just the opposite. Injuries limited Cardoso throughout the tournament, and he ends this Gold Cup in the same state as he began it: a question mark.

In total, he played just 11 minutes at the tournament after putting in a downright bad 45 against Turkey and a poor 90 against Switzerland in pre-Gold Cup losses. When he was on the field, Cardoso did himself no favors - and injury issues prevented him from making up for it. It's bad fortune, for sure, for a player who has generally been pretty unlucky when representing the national team.

Is September the window in which he figures it all out? Pochetino will hope so. He is too talented not to contribute, but this tournament was yet another without a signature Cardoso moment.

It's not that Richards' spot on the depth chart changed. He entered this tournament as CB1 and he leaves as an even clearer CB1. Richards, if healthy and available, will start at the World Cup. Period.

But this Gold Cup proved he can provide even more. He's now become a leader, a vocal one, and a player who isn't afraid to take charge, captain's armband or not.

"I've also gotten to a point where I can just be a leader and be more vocal rather than letting a captain do it," Richards told GOAL. "There can be three or four captains on the field. That's what makes a great team - more than one guy stepping up to the plate. I understand I'm a leader and I want to act like it. Regardless of who's on the team at the World Cup next year, I still want to be that person."

He might just be next summer. Tyler Adams seems the favorite to be the USMNT captain, but Richards is in the mix. Richards is now a pillar of this team. He showed that both in actions and words throughout the tournament.

The moment the 2022 World Cup ended, the quest to replace Tim Ream began. Now, less than a year out from the next World Cup, no replacement has arrived. Ream, at 37, is still starting for the USMNT.

Going into this Gold Cup, Mark McKenzie looked to be the guy best positioned to really push into the starting XI alongside Richards. He was fresh off a solid season at Toulouse, having made a leap forward by joining the Ligue 1 side. With other European-based options left at home, McKenzie looked poised for more, but it never happened.

Ream partnered Richards throughout, leaving McKenzie watching on from the bench.

Ream, for his part, made it clear that he's not in a rush to relinquish his role. He fully intends to push for a spot at the World Cup and, as long as his performances continue, it will be hard to deny him.

What does that mean for McKenzie? There are few windows remaining, and the lack of opportunities at this Gold Cup will sting. His one appearance was in the beatdown from Switzerland, which won't leave a lasting impression. The clock is ticking.