With the United States’ 4-2 loss to Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final Saturday comes a change in the American guard. Over the course of the next three years, US coach Bob Bradley will get a chance to test current aging players against the up and coming youth in the Stars and Stripes’ player pool.

The next major competition for the USMNT is the 2012 Olympics in London. In Olympic competition, FIFA and the IOC mandates rosters to be comprised of place younger than 23, with the exception of three over-23 players allowed. Despite disappointment last time around in the 2008 Beijing games, the US was able to test many of the players who would go on to play major roles on the National Team in their first major international competition. Talents such as Michael Bradley, Stuart Holden, Charlie Davies, Benny Feilhaber, Freddy Adu, Maurice Edu, Sacha Kljestan, and Jozy Altidore all featured for the Yanks in the competition. Next summer’s Olympics will provide the new crop of American soccer the chance to make their case for the senior National Team moving toward the 2014 World Cup just as the players above did so in 2008.

It’s never too early to project what the US roster could look like come the 2014 World Cup:

*Note: I can’t wait for 2014 to look back at how stupid I am.

Goalkeepers: Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Dominic Cervi

At 32, Tim Howard is currently at the peak of his game. There’s no reason to think his skills should deteriorate before the next World Cup as most goalkeepers play into their 40s.

Howard’s back-ups are a different story.

Marcus Haehnemann, 39, has likely seen his last major competition with the United States. The keeper is out of a contract with Premier League side Wolves and could possibly make a return to MLS to close out his career after spending the last 12 seasons overseas.

Brad Guzan has been the resident second-string goalkeeper since after the 2006 World Cup. The former Chivas USA netminder missed the Gold Cup due to his wedding this summer, but should resume his post in the next US friendly. Since moving to England in 2008, Guzan has only made 27 appearances between Aston Villa and a loan spell at Hull City. The 26 year old looks to be Villa’s first-choice keeper for the upcoming season after Brad Friedel’s move to Spurs.

The third string goalie job could go to a variety of players. Celtic FC’s Dominic Cervi, Chicago Fire’s Sean Johnson, Philadelphia Union’s Zac MacMath, and FC Porto’s Samir Badr have all played on US Youth National Teams in the past. Cervi, the oldest of the four at 24, has earned call-ups from Bradley in the past, but has never featured in a match. Of the other three, a good showing from whomever is called upon in London next summer could earn them the third keeper spot in 2014.

Right now, the third spot goes to Cervi given that he earns playing time in Europe over the next couple of seasons.

Defenders: Timmy Chandler, Eric Lichaj, Tim Ream, Clarence Goodson, Carlos Bocanegra, Omar Gonzalez, Perry Kitchen

Despite a lackluster showing against Mexico Saturday, Eric Lichaj proved throughout the Gold Cup that he is, at least right now, the best candidate to play left back for the foreseeable future of the US national team.

German-born Timmy Chandler missed the Gold Cup due to injuries and fatigue from his Bundesliga campaign with Nuremberg, but the 21 year old showed promise in his first two caps against Argentina and Paraguay in early 2011.

Tim Ream failed to impress, especially in the group stage against Panama, in the Gold Cup. However, the New York Red Bulls center back will likely be forgiven by Bob Bradley as Ream has been hailed for his passing ability from the back.

Clarence Goodson played a solid Gold Cup and looks to have locked up one of the starting center back positions for the time-being.

Oguchi Onyewu’s National Team career looks to be winding down as he failed to register any time on the field in the Gold Cup. He just hasn’t been the same player since his devastating knee injury in November of 2009. A strong season at AC Milan (or wherever he may be loaned to) could change Onyewu’s fortunes.

Though he will be 35 in 2014, Carlos Bocanegra figures to still be a part of his country’s squad for his third World Cup. Steve Cherundolo showed a resurgence at the Gold Cup, but his speed on the right flank will likely decrease by age 35.

Johnathan Bornstein’s performance as a substitute in lieu of Cherundolo’s injury hints that his time with the National Team is winding down.

The two new names here are Omar Gonzalez and Perry Kitchen, both center backs. Gonzalez has been a force in the LA Galaxy back line since coming into MLS in 2009. The 22 year old has earned two caps under Bob Bradley. Kitchen, a 19 year old rookie for DC United, has shown improvement as his inaugural MLS season has progressed. A mainstay on US Youth National Teams, Kitchen shows promise to be a integral part of the senior team’s future defense.

Others to watch: Gale Agbossoumonde, Edgar Castillo, Zarek Valentin, Marvel Wynne, Kevin Alston, Ike Opara, Jonathan Spector, Greg Garza, Ethan White

Midfielders: Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey, Stuart Holden, Freddy Adu, Sacha Kljestan, Alejandro Bedoya, Mixx Diskerud, Eugene Starikov

Donovan and Dempsey will ride off into the US National Team sunset for their fourth and third World Cup, respectively, after Brazil 2014.

A central midfield core of Bradley and Holden will be in their late 20s and primed for their second World Cup. If Kljestan keeps improving like he has after just one season in Europe, he will fulfill what he missed out on in 2010.  Bedoya made the most of his Gold Cup and seems to have secured a spot in Bob Bradley’s squad for the time-being.

Before the Gold Cup semifinal, many would have laughed at the thought of Freddy Adu playing for the US in 2014. The former prodigy should maturity and composure on the ball against Panama and Mexico. The 22 year old brought a flair to the US attack, setting up two goals in only 116 minutes at the Golf Cup.

The two newcomers to the midfield pool will be Norwegian-born Mixx Diskerud and Ukranian-born Eugene Starikov. The 20 year old Diskerud has two caps under his belt already and has fought his way into the starting lineup at his club Stabæk. Starikov, 22, has earned more minutes with Russian side Tom Tomsk and could be called up to the National Team again in the coming months.

Others to watch: Benny Feilhaber, Jermaine Jones, Brek Shea, Jose Torres, Amobi Okugu, Sebastien Lletget, Darlington Nagbe, Moises Orozco, Kelyn Rowe

Forwards: Jozy Altidore, Juan Agudelo, Teal Bunbury, Soony Saad

Though forward play continues to be a glaring weakness of the US, Altidore and Agudelo seem to be the only safe bets at forward for 2014- for now. Sporting KC’s Teal Bunbury could be a dynamic striker in the future and has attracted the attention of overseas clubs.

Soony Saad left the University of Michigan after just one year, scoring 19 goals in his freshman campaign. Saad is said to be auditioning for European sides this summer. While the striker is a dark horse right now,  if he catches on with a European side and continues to be a force, he should find himself in the discussion.

Others to watch include: Omar Salgado, Charlie Davies, Danny Mwanga, Jack McInery, Josh Gatt, Conor Doyle