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REUTERS - Brief profiles of five players to watch in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, starting on Sunday:
Javier Hernandez (Mexico)
A year ago 'Chicharito', or the 'Little Pea' as Hernandez is known, was a promising young talent for Chivas de Guadalajara in the Mexican league but 12 months on, thanks to a successful year with Manchester United, the lightning quick 23-year-old has become one of the best known strikers in the game.
His performances for El Tri at the World Cup last year, including two goals, suggested United manager Alex Ferguson had secured a bargain with media reports indicating United had paid just $10.8 million for the striker. Twenty goals in all competitions for United this year proved Ferguson right.
Hernandez comes from a footballing family, his grandfather Tomas Balcazar was part of the great Chivas team of the early 1950's which won eight titles in 10 years while his father Javier Hernandez Gutierrez played for Mexico in the 1986 World Cup finals.
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Clint Dempsey (United States)
The Texan has established himself as arguably the most successful American ever in European soccer since joining London club Fulham in 2007 and his ability to find the back of the net, combined with his hard graft and creative touches have made him a key part of Bob Bradley's U.S team.
Dempsey often operates on the flanks for the national team although Bradley has also played him as an out-and-out striker, a role he may find himself in during the Gold Cup.
The tough 28-year-old was part of the U.S. teams which won the Gold Cup in 2005 and 2007 - which remain the only team triumphs Dempsey has enjoyed. Expect passion and determination allied to skill.
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Bryan Ruiz (Costa Rica)
In terms of consistent goalscoring quality at a high-level, Ruiz, who plays in the Netherlands with Twente Enschede is unmatched in the CONCACAF region.
Six feet two inches tall (1.88 metres) but quick and agile, Ruiz has scored 32 goals in 57 games in the past two seasons for Twente in the Dutch first division, having impressed with Gent in Belgium and with the Costa Rican national team.
Ruiz has struck up a good understanding with Alvaro Saborio and his intelligent positional play make him a player no defence will be able to take their eyes off.
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Marco Pappa (Guatemala)
A tricky winger with an eye for goal and a talent for the unexpected, the 23-year-old Pappa has come through the various youth levels with Guatemala but has captured regional attention with some impressive performances in Major League Soccer for Chicago Fire.
Capable of scoring spectacular goals from long-range, Pappa is at his most dangerous cutting in from the right flank on to his left foot but he also can produce some mesmerizing dribbles.
It won't be long before European clubs start paying close attention to Pappa and if he gets enough service in the Gold Cup he could well make a major impression.
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Juan Agudelo (United States)
The Colombian-born 18-year-old is one of the most exciting talents to emerge from a Major League Soccer academy and when he scored on his debut for the U.S. in South Africa in November, he became the youngest player to score for the Stars and Stripes.
U.S. coach Bob Bradley called-up Agudelo before he had even established himself in the New York Red Bulls first team, largely because of his outstanding form at youth level for the U.S. - including 12 goals in 16 games for the Under-17 team.
Pace and a natural goal-poaching instincts, along with a smart touch, make Agudelo a truly promising talent and the Gold Cup could be the stage where he really demonstrates what he is capable of at international level.
(Writing by Simon Evans; Editing by Julian Linden; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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Javier Hernandez (Mexico)
A year ago 'Chicharito', or the 'Little Pea' as Hernandez is known, was a promising young talent for Chivas de Guadalajara in the Mexican league but 12 months on, thanks to a successful year with Manchester United, the lightning quick 23-year-old has become one of the best known strikers in the game.
His performances for El Tri at the World Cup last year, including two goals, suggested United manager Alex Ferguson had secured a bargain with media reports indicating United had paid just $10.8 million for the striker. Twenty goals in all competitions for United this year proved Ferguson right.
Hernandez comes from a footballing family, his grandfather Tomas Balcazar was part of the great Chivas team of the early 1950's which won eight titles in 10 years while his father Javier Hernandez Gutierrez played for Mexico in the 1986 World Cup finals.
- - -
Clint Dempsey (United States)
The Texan has established himself as arguably the most successful American ever in European soccer since joining London club Fulham in 2007 and his ability to find the back of the net, combined with his hard graft and creative touches have made him a key part of Bob Bradley's U.S team.
Dempsey often operates on the flanks for the national team although Bradley has also played him as an out-and-out striker, a role he may find himself in during the Gold Cup.
The tough 28-year-old was part of the U.S. teams which won the Gold Cup in 2005 and 2007 - which remain the only team triumphs Dempsey has enjoyed. Expect passion and determination allied to skill.
- - -
Bryan Ruiz (Costa Rica)
In terms of consistent goalscoring quality at a high-level, Ruiz, who plays in the Netherlands with Twente Enschede is unmatched in the CONCACAF region.
Six feet two inches tall (1.88 metres) but quick and agile, Ruiz has scored 32 goals in 57 games in the past two seasons for Twente in the Dutch first division, having impressed with Gent in Belgium and with the Costa Rican national team.
Ruiz has struck up a good understanding with Alvaro Saborio and his intelligent positional play make him a player no defence will be able to take their eyes off.
- - -
Marco Pappa (Guatemala)
A tricky winger with an eye for goal and a talent for the unexpected, the 23-year-old Pappa has come through the various youth levels with Guatemala but has captured regional attention with some impressive performances in Major League Soccer for Chicago Fire.
Capable of scoring spectacular goals from long-range, Pappa is at his most dangerous cutting in from the right flank on to his left foot but he also can produce some mesmerizing dribbles.
It won't be long before European clubs start paying close attention to Pappa and if he gets enough service in the Gold Cup he could well make a major impression.
- - -
Juan Agudelo (United States)
The Colombian-born 18-year-old is one of the most exciting talents to emerge from a Major League Soccer academy and when he scored on his debut for the U.S. in South Africa in November, he became the youngest player to score for the Stars and Stripes.
U.S. coach Bob Bradley called-up Agudelo before he had even established himself in the New York Red Bulls first team, largely because of his outstanding form at youth level for the U.S. - including 12 goals in 16 games for the Under-17 team.
Pace and a natural goal-poaching instincts, along with a smart touch, make Agudelo a truly promising talent and the Gold Cup could be the stage where he really demonstrates what he is capable of at international level.
(Writing by Simon Evans; Editing by Julian Linden; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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