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USMNT Gold Cup Roster Features 19 MLS Players — But There’s Still Some Spice There

Nineteen MLS players made the 23-man roster for the U.S. men's national team for the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Head coach Gregg Berhalter's squad is seeking its seventh confederation championship and first since 2017.

Team USA confirmed its roster on Thursday.

The United States is in Group B with Canada, Martinique and another yet-to-be-determined team. Barbados, Bermuda, Haitii and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are competing for the fourth spot in Group B.

The U.S. squad opens play against the fourth qualifying team on July 11. The Americans will play all Group B matches at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan.

"Our priority is to win the Gold Cup. Anytime we're competing for a trophy, we want to win it," Berhalter said in a release. "It's going to take a good effort by the group, but it's certainly a focus of ours. We know the games are going to be difficult, and as we looked at the roster for this tournament, we focused on guys who are in form and can help the team win."

The 19 MLS players come from 13 different teams. Atlanta United and the Colorado Rapids each have three players, while D.C. United and New York City FC have two.

The full USMNT roster (with MLS or other pro club) is as follows:

USMNT Gold Cup Roster 2021

  • Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Atlanta), Sean Johnson (NYCFC) and Matt Turner (New England Revolution).
  • Defenders: George Bello (Atlanta), Reggie Cannon (Portugal's Boavista FC), Shaq Moore (Spain's CD Tenerife), Donovan Pines (D.C.), Miles Robinson (Atlanta), James Sands (NYCFC), Sam Vines (Colorado) and Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC).
  • Midfielders: Kellyn Acosta (Colorado), Gianluca Busio (Sporting Kansas City), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Eryk Williamson (Portland Timbers) and Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes).
  • Forwards: Paul Arriola (D.C.), Daryl Dike (Orlando City SC), Nicholas Gioacchini (France's Caen), Matthew Hoppe (Germany's Schalke 04), Jonathan Lewis (Colorado) and Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew).

The Gold Cup final is Aug. 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

(Field Level Media)

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