- Ben McCormick

At the start of the 2011 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, much of the oft-hyped talent on the US squad was relatively unknown to the US Soccer fan base. Through the group stage, some players have dazzled, some have fizzled and the jury remains out on others. Here is a look at what we know and what we are yet to find out about this cycle's edition of the USA U-20 national team:


Known: Joe Gyau is lethal. In the first match against Suriname, no one was more dangerous with every touch than Gyau. The TSG Hoffenheim youngster was often knocked for his propensity to be a black hole with the ball, but his time in Germany appears to have remedied that. Gyau also scored the fifth highest rating ever recorded on Nike's Sparq test, which is an athleticism test given to soccer players on any team sponsored by Nike around the world. He's got the makings of a world class player, and he's showing that potential in this tournament.


Unknown: Who are the two center backs? In the match against Suriname, Gale Agbossumonde and Perry Kitchen performed superbly together. Amobi Okugo's sporadic passing against Suriname forced the versatile Kitchen into the midfield for the Panama match, giving Sebastian Ibeagha a start alongside Agbossumonde. Unfortunately, the results were a disappointment. Ibeagha and Agbossumonde were frequently shaky in the second half after a few close calls in the first. Ideally Kitchen would rejoin Agbossumonde on the backline for Wednesday's match against Guatemala, but should he remain in the midfield, Rongen's might give New York Red Bulls academy product Sacir Hot a chance.


Known: Rongen plays attractive soccer. The US's second goal against Panama dropped the jaws of many USMNT fans. For years they have been wishing to see play like this on the full national team. From Conor Doyle's dummy to Sebastian Lletget's short lob to the oncoming Kelyn Rowe's classy finish, a goal of that quality has not been scored by the full national team in quite some time. This U-20 team likes to dominate possession and spray the ball from the back using its talented defenders. Hopefully one day we'll see the same from the full national team.


Unknown: Where does Rongen put Bobby Wood? Wood has been deployed by Rongen as a left winger, but his play hasn't been anything to write home about. He is best described as the "least good" player against Suriname, and was taken off in the 34th minute against Panama. Wood's talent is clearly meant for an out and out striker role, but Conor Doyle won't be displaced if he continues his stellar play. Rongen knows Wood has immense talent, but deploying it in his attractive 4-3-3 system is proving difficult.


Known: Greg Garza is a boss. There really isn't a better word to describe Garza thus far in the tournament. Neither Suriname nor Panama accomplished anything down the left flank. His play eased the pressure on the out-of-position Bobby Wood, and his attacking runs have started many dangerous US attacks. Despite not playing for his pro club in the second division of Portugal, USMNT fans must wonder what's in store for Garza once he gets his club situation in order.


Unknown: How good is Zach MacMath? Fans haven't seen the much heralded Philadelphia Union prospect do anything more than catch an easy cross. Panama didn't provide any stiff tests for the US defense, and MacMath might as well have visited the concession stand against Suriname. As a result, fans are still left wondering at the young Maryland University product's quality. MacMath is likely to be forced into action at least once on Wednesday, finally giving American soccer fans something to begin forming an opinion on.


Some of these questions will hopefully be answered Wednesday in the USA's quarterfinal match up against host nation Guatemala at 10 PM EST. The US must win to qualify for its eighth consecutive FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will be held this summer in Colombia.


Check back tonight at 9:30 ET for a live blog of USA-Guatemala, hosted by Ben McCormick.
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