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Gold Cup 2017: Who’s in USMNT squad?

By Cody Williams

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - MARCH 31: Gyasi Zardes of the USA misses a chance at goal during the international friendly match between Switzerland and the United States at Stadium Letzigrund on March 31, 2015 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Philipp Schmidli/Getty Images)
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - MARCH 31: Gyasi Zardes of the USA misses a chance at goal during the international friendly match between Switzerland and the United States at Stadium Letzigrund on March 31, 2015 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Philipp Schmidli/Getty Images) /
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A look at the 23-man USMNT set for the 2017 Gold Cup as the USA looks to capture a confidence-building victory as the hosts

With USA being the hosts for the 2017 Gold Cup, there will be plenty of focus on the US Men’s National Team. Though the USMNT can’t do anything for their World Cup Qualifying in the Gold Cup, Bruce Arena’s group still has a lot to learn. The manager will get a look at players in the tournament format and first looks at others.

No matter the squad put out there, the USMNT would’ve been considered one of the favorites for the Gold Cup. That’s not just because of the home advantage of hosting, either. In truth, only Mexico and perhaps Costa Rica should be able to challenge the Americans out of the 12-team field. However, we’ve seen the USMNT underperform before.

With that said, the USMNT squad that Arena is ready to roll with should be hungry. There are plenty of veterans on the team, but a litany of young players as well. The latter group will be pivotal as they look to prove worthy of future selections.

Having said that, let’s take a look a the 23-man USMNT squad for the 2017 Gold Cup:

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Atlanta United FC), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (NYCFC)
Defenders: Matt Besler (Sporting KC), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas), Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest), Matt Miazga (Chelsea), Justin Morrow (Toronto FC), Jorge Villafana (Santos Laguna), Graham Zusi (Sporting KC)
Midfielders: Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana), Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Kelyn Rowe (New England Revolution), Kenny Saief (Gent)*, Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
Forwards: Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Dom Dwyer (Sporting KC), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders)

*Saief is unable to compete due to a groin injury and will be replaced by Chris Pontius of the Philadelphia Union.

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There are notable exclusions from this USMNT Gold Cup squad, most glaring being Christian Pulisic. However, veterans like Jozy Altidore, Geoff Cameron and Clint Dempsey are also nowhere to be seen. That all seems to be part of Arena’s plan, though, looking to try and unearth more players ready to help the US qualify for the World Cup, and compete if they make it to Russia.

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