U.S. Soccer names roster for Copa America

The U.S. Soccer team named its roster for the upcoming Copa America tournament. It is a roster that features some young players, but left off some notables.

The United States soccer team has named its 23-man roster for the Copa America Centenario to be played throughout the United States in June.

The biannual competition of South American teams was expanded and moved to the United States for its 100th anniversary. It is a major tournament that will feature Lionel Messi, Neymar and James Rodriguez among others. The United States certainly does not want to disappoint — especially since the last time the United States played in Copa America in 2007 the team sent a squad largely devoid of its stars.

This year’s team is certainly an A-list squad.

All the stars from the last World Cup will be there with Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard, Michael Bradley and Kyle Beckerman anchoring the lineup. The U.S. certainly will be relying on them again.

"“This roster really was put together based on what we saw over the last year, and it’s one that makes us the strongest team possible to compete in Copa America and to hopefully surprise a lot of people,” Klinsmann said in a press release. “We feel that these 23 going into the very special Copa America, they really deserved to be there. Obviously when you get down and you decide on the final 23-man roster, there are very close, tight decisions to make. The moment when you decide, it’s about definitely who you feel the strongest about.”"

Filling out the bench leaves some interesting decisions along with some interesting debuts.

Christian Pulisic recently made his first cap with the United States after spending this season with Borussia Dortmund. The 17-year-old midfielder made nine appearances this year, scoring two goals. He is largely viewed as one of the best young players in the U.S. system.

He is the exact kind of young blood the U.s. team will need to infuse the roster and prepare them for World Cup Qualifying (still ongoing) and eventually the World Cup in a few years.

Gyasi Zardes and Bobby Wood also are promising young players the team will want to further develop. Zardes came on in the World Cup and made an immediate impact with his speed. He has slowly gained more traction with Juergen Klinsmann and the U.S. National Team.

Wood too has had his moments in his young U.S. National Team career.

There were a few notable players left off.

Promising young striker Aron Johansson will not play at Copa America as he recovers from an injury that knocked him out of the Budesliga for Werder Breman in March. Neither will longtime U.S. striker Jozy Altidore, who recently suffered an injury.

Striker Jordan Morris was not named to the roster either. The Seattle Sounders striker has four goals in nine appearances this season. He was the first college player called up to the national team last year. He would later score a goal in a friendly against Mexico.

The U.S. certainly is not expected to win the tournament, but the team will want another strong showing as it prepares for the World Cup Qualifying to come.

The U.S. kicks off its Copa America prep with a friendly at Puerto Rico on Sunday and will start Copa America play against Colombia on June 3 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.

For more Copa America, check out our Copa America hub page.