Amid a busy summer, the United States men's national team interim manager B.J. Callaghan has named his 23-man Gold Cup squad as the USMNT look to retain their title. Kicking off on June 16, the Gold Cup has a different, mostly domestic roster in comparison to the team taking on Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals, which take place on June 15.
Led by DeAndre Yedlin and Cristian Roldan, Callaghan will have a young squad that even included rewards for performances at the U-20 World Cup with Gaga Slonina and Cade Cowell getting the call. Twelve members of the roster hail from MLS with nine players all in the running for their first official cap after only appearing in friendlies for the senior team.
The United States have been drawn into group A along with Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and a team yet to be determined from the road to the Gold Cup preliminary round. This tournament is always a good time to see some of the lesser known members of the squad get their chance to break into the top team while getting more members of the team more competitive experience under their belts.
Roster
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)
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)
The absence of Mark McKenzie is also notable after his strong season with Genk but during the Nations League roster reveal, Callaghan shared that he had a plan for McKenzie to get into the national team picture but it doesn't seem like that will include a Gold Cup trip. Two players who have a lot to gain in this camp are Gianluca Busio and Bryan Reynolds. Both stuck in Italy in different ways, Busio can prove that he can play as a six for the team while Reynolds is looking to improve his transfer stock. Beyond these players, what else is there to look out for?
A loaded group of 'forwards'
While the inclusion of Julian Gressel as a forward is an interesting one, he could still play more time in defense especially with Cade Cowell and Alex Zendejas in the squad to provide width. What this roster does have is no shortage of players who can lead the line as a nine.
Jordan Morris has seemingly recovered his burst and confidence with the Seattle Sounders, scoring nine goals in 16 matches but he also needs to regain fitness after missing time with a groin strain. Alongside Morris, Brandon Vazquez and Jesus Ferreira both have points to prove. With Folarin Balogun in the senior picture now, there likely isn't room for both of them. But, healthy competition can lead to results, so if this leads to both scoring for the national team, it will give Callaghan tough but good decisions to make.
A lifeline for James Sands
Another player with something to prove, Sands has excelled since returning to New York City FC even though the team has struggled domestically. It wasn't in the plan for him to return from his loan to Rangers, but it's up to Sands to make the best of that situation. Without Tyler Adams or Luca De La Torre on this roster, it will be a good chance for Sands to get significant playing time in midfield or potentially in defense.
Looking at the defense
With such a talented group of up and coming center backs, we're reaching the point where Aaron Long could be running out of chances with the national team. Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie, and Cameron Carter-Vickers are all performing at a high level in Europe. John Brooks is still younger than people think at only 30 and even Josh Wynder recently moved to Benfica while Chris Richards awaits his chance at Crystal Palace. At a certain point, everyone will need to pick up their performances or risk being replaced, but there are few places with as much competition as center back with this squad. The Gold Cup could prove to be a last chance for Long to show he needs to stick in this team.
Alongside him, John Tolkin, Bryan Reynolds, and DeJuan Jones have big opportunities. Spots behind Antonee Robinson and Sergiono Dest are wide open and with good enough performances their spots could be at risk too. Just like Shaq Moore making the 2022 World Cup squad, the road to the Gold Cup isn't far off the beaten path from the road to the World Cup.
