The U.S. men’s national team revealed its 23-man roster for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup on Monday. Here’s what you need to know:
Sixteen of the 23 players are based in Major League Soccer. FC Cincinnati and Seattle Sounders lead the list of 12 MLS teams represented on the roster with two selections each.
Five players are also part of the USA’s CONCACAF Nations League Finals squad announced earlier this month: goalkeepers Sean Johnson and Matt Turner, defender Miles Robinson, midfielder Alan Soñora and forward Alex Zendejas.
The roster features seven players from the 2022 FIFA World Cup team: Jesús Ferreira, Aaron Long, Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan, DeAndre Yedlin, Johnson and Turner.
The USMNT opens group play against Jamaica on June 24 in Chicago.
Eyes on an 8th Gold Cup 🇺🇸🏆 B.J. Callaghan names 23-player roster for 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup » https://t.co/vZ2yOZqWJM pic.twitter.com/LKRTkOPK8L — U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) June 12, 2023
What they’re saying
“This is a group that we have a lot of confidence in as we look to win another Gold Cup trophy,” USMNT interim manager B.J. Callaghan said in a release. “It’s a roster that has a good mix of veteran players that have World Cup experience and younger players have earned an opportunity to come into camp and represent the United States in the Gold Cup.
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“Many of these players have performed well at their clubs as well as the previous opportunities that they have had in the national team environment. We’re trying to expose as many players as possible to tournament competition. Some have a lot of experiences that we continue to build on, while others are just starting out. In all cases it will be valuable for the group moving forward.”
Backstory
The USMNT will be in search of a second straight and record-tying eighth confederation championship this summer. Turner and Robinson earned Best XI honors during the team’s 2021 title campaign and are two of six returnees from that championship squad. The 28-year-old Turner also won the Golden Glove as best goalkeeper at the 2021 Gold Cup, recording five clean sheets and allowing just one goal in six matches.
The U.S. is part of Group A this year along with Jamaica, Nicaragua and a team that will be determined through the 2023 Gold Cup Prelims. Either Curaçao, French Guiana, Sint Maarten or Saint Kitts and Nevis will be the fourth team based on the Prelims draw.
USMNT stars like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and newly-committed Folarin Balogun are part of this year’s Nations League Finals roster. Team USA faces rival Mexico in that tournament’s semifinals on June 15 in Las Vegas.
Complete 2023 USMNT Gold Cup roster (club/country; caps/goals)
Goalkeepers (3): Sean Johnson (Toronto FC/CAN; 12/0), Gaga Slonina (Chelsea/ENG; 1/0), Matt Turner (Arsenal/ENG; 26/0)
Defenders (8): DeJuan Jones (New England Revolution; 2/0), Aaron Long (LAFC; 32/3), Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati; 23/1), Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy; 2/0), Bryan Reynolds (Roma/ITA; 3/0), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; 21/3), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls; 1/0), DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami; 78/0)
Midfielders (6): Gianluca Busio (Venezia/ITA; 9/0), Djordje Mihailovic (AZ Alkmaar/NED; 6/1), Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew; 2/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 32/3), James Sands (New York City FC; 8/0), Alan Soñora (FC Juárez/MEX; 2/0)
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Forwards (6): Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes; 3/0), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; 18/8), Julian Gressel (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 2/0), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders; 52/11), Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati; 3/1), Alex Zendejas (Club América/MEX; 3/1)
Required reading
(Photo of Matt Turner: John Dorton/ USSF / Getty Images)