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With the Gold Cup fast approaching, the 23-man roster for the USMNT has been set.
After a recent run of good form, beating the Netherlands and reigning World Cup winners Germany, anything less than a win would be a disappointment for the USA.
Coming into the tournament Klinsmann has gone with experience over any other attribute to help win the tournament, with 13 players already having played in the Gold Cup and 10 of those 13 having lifted the cup once already.
With a squad full of more-than-ready athletes the USMNT look to dominate with the Cup being held on home soil.
Nick Rimando, Brad Guzan and William Yarbrough will represent the USA between the sticks.
Rimando is the likely starter, but Guzan could easily take the spot.
Guzan has no Gold Cup experience, while Rimando helped the USA to victory in 2013, which can only push Klinsmann to choose Rimando.
Because he will challenge Rimando for the starting spot, Guzan, having been a part of the National Team since 2006, is the best viable option as a backup. Guzan also plays a higher-level club schedule for Aston Villa than Rimando does for Real Salt Lake.
At 26, Yarbrough will be the backup of the backup. With only two caps under his belt, being a part of this roster can only help his confidence as he looks to make a name for himself.
With these three options in goal, Klinsmann can’t go wrong with his starting pick.
The back line is the key to any successful team and the USMNT is no exception. Taking no risks, Klinsmann selected the toughest and most in-form defenders available.
John Brooks, Timmy Chandler, Omar Gonzalez and Fabian Johnson are all back to represent their national team.
New to the scene is 22-year-old Ventura Alvarado, who has only five caps to his name entering this tournament. Alvarado is ready to show what he brings to the team after winning the CONCACAF Champions League with Club America this season.
After a two-year absence from the national team roster, Tim Ream is finally back in the team, having not played much since the 2013 Gold Cup. Ream played a crucial part in helping the USMNT get to the final and has been player of the season for Bolton Wanderers the last two seasons.
Greg Garza joined the team as a late addition after Brad Davis was ruled out due to injury.
When it comes to the midfield, it’s clear Klinsmann wanted a versatile squad that would allow him to adjust his tactics on the fly.
Whether they need precision tiki-taka style passing or long balls down the field, Klinsmann will have everything he needs to get the job done.
Alfredo Morales plays right back for his club but can be deployed as a defensive mid. Along with versatility, Morales brings pace and strength and isn't afraid to go in for a challenge and win the ball. Those characteristics are enough to earn a spot in the starting 11 and push the USMNT to retain their title.
Kyle Beckerman, Michael Bradley and Mix Diskerud look to return to the international stage after the World Cup. These four players can control the tempo and speed of a game, and exploit a team's flaws whenever they want.
From quick crisp passes to rocket-like volleys these players have the creativity and skill to win games.
Out on the flanks the likes of Deandre Yedlin, Alejandro Bedoya, Graham Zusi and Gyasi Zardes all will look to shake up and break defenders with pace and skill.
All nine midfielders have a chance of starting.
The final four call-ups to the squad are the game-winners, the players that will change a game for their team with their instinct for finding the back of the net.
Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Aron Johannsson and Chris Wondolowski all have a sixth sense for scoring goals as well as assisting each other.
With almost 200 appearances and almost 70 goals between the two, Altidore and Dempsey are the most qualified to lead the team to the final and retain the cup.
Wondolowski has a sporadic spot in the National Team since 2011 and he was a big help in the 2013 Gold Cup, scoring five goals in the tournament and seven goals that year.
Wondolowski is more than qualified to represent the U.S. this tournament and will prove to be crucial just as he was in 2013.
With only 10 games under his international belt and three goals, Aron Johannsson has made a name for himself after some sublime showings as a substitute.
These four are trusted to lead the country into this tournament and make sure the title stays right at home with the U.S.
This is a strong roster but there are some big names missing this tournament. Those names could be even bigger game changers and have shown their ability to be such in the past.
Tim Howard is the biggest omission after having one of the best showings at the World Cup, making some of the biggest saves of the tournament. Unfortunately Howard has taken some personal time off to spend with his family.
Matt Besler, known for his no-nonsense defending and overall presence on the pitch, hasn't impressed enough at club level or during friendlies to earn a spot for the tournament.
Jermaine Jones was a force to be reckoned with in the World Cup, no matter where he played. In recent times though, Jones hasn't been healthy and therefore had to be passed up for the Gold Cup.
Finally, up top Bobby Wood has been the headliner recently, having scored the winners against the Netherlands and Germany. Wood will stay with his club, Union Berlin, for the preseason.
Overall the squad has exactly what the U.S. needs to keep the cup. With everything in their favor and the tournament on home soil, the tournament is the USMNT’s to lose.
They kick off tonight (July 7) at 9:30 EST against Honduras.
