CHICAGO (June 12, 2023) – In advance of the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, U.S. Men’s National Team head coach B.J. Callaghan has selected the final 23-player roster. The BioSteel USMNT Training Camp opens June 20 in Chicago.
With a mix of experience and young talent, the United States will pursue its eighth confederation championship title.
“This is a group that we have a lot of confidence in as we look to win another Gold Cup trophy. It’s a roster that has a good mix of veteran players that have World Cup experience and younger players that have earned an opportunity to come into camp and represent the United States in the Gold Cup,” Callaghan said. “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.”
The USMNT is part of Group A in the Gold Cup along with Jamaica, Nicaragua and a team that will be determined through the 2023 Gold Cup Prelims.
Based on the Gold Cup Prelims draw, the remaining team in Group A could be one of four possibilities: Curaçao, French Guiana, Sint Maarten or St. Kitts and Nevis. The Prelims Round will run from June 16-20 at DRV PNK Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
The U.S. will seek a record-tying eighth confederation championship this summer. The USMNT won the inaugural tournament in 1991 before being crowned regional champions again in 2002, 2005, 2007, 2013 and 2017 and 2021. Should the USA win the 2023 competition, it would tie Mexico’s record of eight titles.
Per tournament rules, the final roster will be submitted no later than June 14. A player may be replaced on the roster up to 24 hours prior a team’s first match of the group phase, as well as 24 hours after the completion of its group stage competition, in the case of injury. The replacement player must come from the 60-man preliminary rosters.
USMNT GOLD CUP DETAILED ROSTER BY POSITION (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)
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)
REPPING FROM NEAR AND FAR
As expected, this Gold Cup roster has a more U.S.-based influence, with a total of 16 of the 23 players coming from Major League Soccer. Players also join from clubs in England (2), Italy (2), Mexico (2) and Netherlands (1).
With two selections each, FC Cincinnati and Seattle Sounders lead the list of 12 MLS teams represented on the roster, followed by Atlanta United, Columbus Crew, FC Dallas, Inter Miami, LAFC, LA Galaxy, New England Revolution, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls and San Jose Earthquakes.
Five players will do double duty as part of both the Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup squads: goalkeepers Sean Johnson and Matt Turner, defender Miles Robinson, midfielder Alan Soñora and forward Alex Zendejas.
EXPERIENCE AT THE CORE
The roster is anchored with players who have tournament action under their belts. A total of 11 players have previous Gold Cup experience, with eight having won the competition at least once and 10 having reached a final. Matt Turner and Miles Robinson earned a spot on the 2021 Tournament Best XI, leading a total of six players to lift the ’21 championship trophy.
In addition, the squad features seven players from the 2022 FIFA World Cup team: Jesús Ferreira, Sean Johnson, Aaron Long, Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan, Matt Turner and DeAndre Yedlin.
With 78 appearances, two-time FIFA World Cup veteran Yedlin is the leading cap winner, followed by Morris (52), Long (32), Roldan (32), Turner (26), Matt Miazga (23) and Miles Robinson (21). Sean Johnson becomes the ninth USMNT player named to five or more Gold Cup rosters, joining DaMarcus Beasley (6), Landon Donovan (6), Frankie Hejduk (6), Kasey Keller (6), Clint Dempsey (5), Brad Guzan (5), Cobi Jones (5) and Eric Wynalda (5).
CRUISING FOR A CAP (TIE)
While all the players on the roster have appeared at least once for the senior team, a total of nine players will seek their first caps in official competition: Cade Cowell, Julian Gressel, DeJuan Jones, Aidan Morris, Jalen Neal, Gaga Slonina, Alan Soñora, John Tolkin and Brandon Vazquez.
Meantime, six dual national players will be cap-tied to the United States should they appear in any match during the Gold Cup: Cowell, Gressel, Morris, Slonina, Soñora and Vazquez.
ROSTER NOTES
- The roster holds an average age of 25 years, 20 days as of June 21, the first day of training.
- The roster also averages 14 caps overall and seven caps in official competition.
- With 78 appearances, two-time FIFA World Cup veteran DeAndre Yedlin is the leading cap winner, followed by Jordan Morris (52), Aaron Long (32), Cristian Roldan (32), Matt Turner (26), Matt Miazga (23) and Miles Robinson (21).
- Sixteen of the 23 players are based in Major League Soccer. Players also come from clubs in England (2), Italy (2), Mexico (2) and Netherlands (1).
- With two selections each, FC Cincinnati and Seattle Sounders lead the list of 12 MLS clubs represented on the roster, followed by Atlanta United, Columbus Crew, FC Dallas, Inter Miami, LAFC, LA Galaxy, New England Revolution, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls and San Jose Earthquakes.
- Five players from the USA’s Concacaf Nations League squad will continue with the team for the Gold Cup: goalkeepers Sean Johnson and Matt Turner, defender Miles Robinson, midfielder Alan Soñora and forward Alex Zendejas.
- The squad features seven players from the 2022 FIFA World Cup team: Jesús Ferreira, Sean Johnson, Aaron Long, Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan, Matt Turner and DeAndre Yedlin.
- Eleven players have previous Gold Cup experience, with eight having won the competition at least once (tournament caps/previous rosters; years won) and 10 having reached a final: Jordan Morris (11/2; 2017, 2019), Cristian Roldan (10/3; 2017, 2019, 2021), Miles Robinson (6/1; 2021), Matt Turner (6/1; 2021), Gianluca Busio (6/1; 2021), James Sands (6/1; 2021), DeAndre Yedlin (5/1; 2015), Aaron Long (5/1; 2019), Matt Miazga (4/2; 2017, 2019), Sean Johnson (2/4; 2013, 2017, 2019, 2021), Djordje Mihailovic (2/1; 2019).
- Seven players are 24 or younger: Brandon Vazquez (24); James Sands and Jesús Ferreira (22); Aidan Morris (21); John Tolkin (20); Cade Cowell and Jalen Neal (19)
- Should he appear in one match at the Gold Cup, veteran defender DeAndre Yedlin will become the 25th USMNT player to earn 40 appearances in official competition. Official competition cap leaders in this squad: Yedlin (39), Jordan Morris (30), Matt Turner (21), Cristian Roldan (19), Miles Robinson (18), Aaron Long (12).
- Sean Johnson becomes the ninth USMNT player named to five or more Gold Cup rosters, joining DaMarcus Beasley (6), Landon Donovan (6), Frankie Hejduk (6), Kasey Keller (6), Clint Dempsey (5), Brad Guzan (5), Cobi Jones (5) and Eric Wynalda (5).
- After earning tournament Best XI honors in 2021, goalkeeper Matt Turner and defender Miles Robinson are among six returnees from that year’s championship side. They are joined by Gianluca Busio, Sean Johnson, Cristian Roldan and James Sands.
- Turner claimed the Golden Glove as best goalkeeper at the 2021 Gold Cup, earning five clean sheets and conceding only one goal in six matches. Robinson contributed mightily to those five clean sheets, while also adding two goals including the extra time winner in the 1-0 victory against Mexico in the final.
- Like Robinson, Jordan Morris has also tallied a game-winner in the Gold Cup Final, hitting home in the 88th minute of the 2-1 victory against Jamaica in the 2017 championship match.
- Cade Cowell and Gaga Slonina were key pieces of the USA’s run to the quarterfinals of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Slonina became the first U.S. goalkeeper to record four shutouts at a youth World Cup, while Cowell registered three goals and an assist in four matches.
- Nine players will seek their first caps in official competition: Cade Cowell, Julian Gressel, DeJuan Jones, Aidan Morris, Jalen Neal, Gaga Slonina, Alan Soñora, John Tolkin and Brandon Vazquez.
- Six dual national players will be cap-tied to the United States should they appear in any match during the Gold Cup: Cade Cowell, Julian Gressel, Aidan Morris, Gaga Slonina, Alan Soñora and Brandon Vazquez.
- Nine players made their USMNT debut this year: Julian Gressel, DeJuan Jones, Aidan Morris, Jalen Neal, Gaga Slonina, Alan Soñora, John Tolkin, Brandon Vazquez and Alex Zendejas.
- With 10 goals on the season for FC Dallas, forward Jesús Ferreira will come to camp tied for the lead in the MLS Golden Boot race, while winger Jordan Morris sits just one back with nine goals for Seattle Sounders this season.
- In the midst of his first season with Toronto FC, goalkeeper Sean Johnson has six clean sheets thus far, tying him for third overall league wide.
- Appearing in his second match since returning from concussion protocol, Cristian Roldan tallied a goal and assist for Seattle Sounders in their 3-3 draw at Charlotte FC on Saturday, June 10.
- Miles Robinson, Aidan Morris and Cade Cowell each grabbed assists in MLS play on Saturday, June 10. Robinson set up the opening goal in from Giorgios Gakoumakis in Atlanta United’s 3-1 win against D.C. United, Morris intercepted a pass that led directly to Lucas Zelarayán’s winner from 60 yards in Columbus Crew’s 2-1 victory at Chicago Fire and Cowell provided the helper on Jeremy Ebobisse’s eighth minute goal in San Jose Earthquake’s 2-1 win against Philadelphia Union.
