USMNT Reveals Roster for CONCACAF Gold Cup

With next month’s CONCACAF Gold Cup right around the corner, Jurgen Klinsmann trimmed his provisional roster to the mandated 23 man squad today.

The United States are the defending champions of the tournament, winning two years ago with its B-squad. However, this time, a birth to the 2017 Confederations Cup could be on the line if the US repeat, but if they do not, they will face this year’s winner in a playoff for the spot. With that being said, there were a few surprises on the roster.

Goalkeepers 

Brad Guzan (Aston Villa); Nick Rimando (RSL); William Yarbrough (Club Leon)

Defenders 

Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt); Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach); Brad Evans (Seattle); Ventura Alvarado (Club America); John Brooks (Hertha Berlin); Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy); Tim Ream (Bolton)

Midfielders 

DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham); Mix Diskerud (NYCFC); Alfredo Morales (Ingolstadt); Alejandro Bedoya (FC Nantes); Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy); Graham Zusi (Sporting KC); Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo); Kyle Beckerman (RSL); Michael Bradley (Toronto)

Forwards 

Jozy Altidore (Toronto); Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar); Chris Wondolowski (San Jose); Clint Dempsey (Seattle)

The players left off the roster from the 35 man provisional were Brek Shea, Bill Hamid, Matt Besler, DaMarcus Beasley, Greg Garza, Michael Orozco, Joe Corona, Perry Kitchen, Lee Nguyen, Juan Agudelo, Jordan Morris, and Alan Gordon.

Of the exclusions, the most surprisingly has to be Jordan Morris. The Stanford University forward was a standout for the U-23’s in Toulon and for the senior squad this year as well; scoring against Mexico and appearing against Holland and Germany earlier this month. Klinsmann may have left the twenty year-old off the squad for him to get rest this summer, or could be waiting to call him in during the knockout stage. Either way, this is a shock considering how well he’s played for the national team this year.

Another surprise name left off the roster is Brek Shea. He had also made a handful of appearances with the national team this year, fairing what could be said as very well. However, with the inclusion of both Fabian Johnson and Gyasi Zardes, who both play on the left side, it could be that Klinsmann simply did not have room to include Shea on the squad.

Matt Besler started every game for the US at the World Cup, and seemed to have the left center back spot locked down, but injuries have forced him to miss time with the squad, and he could have seen his spot taken by the youngster John Brooks. It is very likely that Besler is called in at some point during this competition though, depending on how Brooks and Alvarado/Gonzalez play during the group stage.

Ventura Alvarado and William Yarbrough can be cap-tied to the US if they earn caps in the Gold Cup, and it has to be said that their inclusion on the roster was earned by quality play, not just dual nationalities. Alvarado played very well against Germany recently, and it can be argued that he has been the best central defender for the US of late.

With the squad, it appears that the 4-4-2 diamond formation will carry the USMNT through the summer. The squad called up allows for Michael Bradley to play in the number 10 spot behind Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore, and also allows for Kyle Beckerman to play in the holding midfield role in front of the center backs. While the lineup worked well for the US in this month’s friendlies, this squad is older, and will not carry the same attacking pace that we saw against the Netherlands and Germany. Nevertheless, it should get the job done for Klinsmann in the Gold Cup.

The USA will start their Gold Cup campaign with a friendly against Guatemala on July 3 in Nashville.