CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Concacaf Gold Cup will always have a special place in the heart of United States MF Djordje Mihailovic.
It was in the 2019 edition when Mihailovic featured in an official competition with the United States Men’s National Team for the first time, appearing in two matches to help the U.S. to a runner-up finish.
Now back in the fold four years later in the 2023 tournament, the 24-year-old midfielder is keen to make the most of his Gold Cup experience.
“When you think of the Gold Cup, this is our confederation’s tournament. This is the tournament that crowns the champion of this region of the world, and to be able to play in this tournament and try to chase a trophy and the ambition to be named the best team and country in this region, it's special,” said Mihailovic in an exclusive interview with Concacaf.com.
“Anytime you put on the crest for your country, it's something that a player always dreams about,” added Mihailovic.
In the 2019 tournament, Mihailovic was a young member of the Chicago Fire and getting his first taste of international football. In the last four years, Mihailovic has twice changed teams, first being traded to CF Montreal for the 2021 season and then signing last year with Dutch club AZ Alkmaar.
Mihailovic sees himself now as a much different footballer than the one who played in the 2019 Gold Cup.
“I was a player that was just still coming up in Chicago. There's been a lot of time in between with a lot of ups and downs for me to grow as a player and a person. I think physically I feel like I got stronger. When you play so many games from then until now you just gain experience playing. When you go travel and play in other countries, these experiences teach you things and you grow as a person,” said Mihailovic.
Mihailovic has been indispensable for the U.S. in the current Gold Cup, with two goals and two assists. His ability to create chances for the U.S. is invaluable, as is his off-the-ball work.
In terms of passing, one would be hard-stretched to find a more accurate player in the tournament, with 55 of 67 passes completed in the 6-0 win versus Saint Kitts and Nevis and 44 of 54 passes completed in the 6-0 victory against Trinidad and Tobago.
For Mihailovic, it has come down to having a preseason approach, treating this Gold Cup as the start of his second European campaign in the Eredivisie.
“I'm coming off my offseason, and this tournament for me is the start of my new season. I'm treating it like, okay, my season started back in Chicago [In the group stage opener]. If I can start the new season off with a trophy, that’s the best possible scenario for me. Over the course of this tournament, especially the first few games, I'm really starting to feel my rhythm and my sharpness,” concluded Mihailovic.
