Jermaine Jones has been an impactful midfielder this season for the Colorado Rapids just as he’s done for three years with the U.S. Men’s National Team. But if USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann wants to be successful at this year’s Copa America, Jones will have to be at his absolute best.
Klinsmann’s team was placed in one of Copa America’s toughest groups, alongside Paraguay, Costa Rica, and Colombia. Getting three points in any of these group stage matches won’t be easy, but Jones has a history of coming up big for the U.S. in big games.
Jones has been of great value when his team needed him most, assisting on Clint Dempsey’s opening goal just 30 seconds into the United States’ 2-1 win over Ghana in the 2014 World Cup. Also in the group stage of that tournament, Jones scored off a corner kick to tie Portugal 2-2 in the 64th minute and effectively sealed his team’s advance into the knockout round.
He’s been effective in a Rapids kit this season, scoring three goals and assisting on two while appearing in only seven games for head coach Pablo Mastroeni. Jones has missed seven games this season for Colorado, including the first four due to suspension and one to national team obligations. But all Jones has to show for his four appearances for the United States in 2016 is two shots, four fouls, and a yellow card.
Jones is a force and a leader, no question about that. But if the time comes when the United States needs a breakthrough like they did in January against Iceland, Jones must be one of the men to step up and make that needed push – just like he did against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal two summers ago.
Klinsmann has used plenty of young talent in important matches so far in 2016, namely Darlington Nagbe of the Portland Timbers. But entering the most important tournament so far this year, it’s probably safe to go with the tested and proven veteran. But those veterans, Jones in particular, must be at their best when called upon in this highly competitive group.