Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By IVES GALARCEP
U.S. Men’s National Team veterans Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley headline a veteran squad chosen by Jurgen Klinsmann for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Klinsmann named a 23-man roster for the tournament, with Donovan and Beasley returning to the national team fold, where they will be joined by national team newcomer Jack McInerney and young midfielders Joe Corona and Mix Diskerud.
Here is the USMNT Gold Cup roster:
GOALKEEPERS– Bill Hamid, Sean Johnson, Nick Rimando
DEFENDERS– Oguchi Onyewu, Clarence Goodson, Edgar Castillo, Michael Parkhurst, Corey Ashe, Tony Beltran, Michael Orozco, DaMarcus Beasley
MIDFIELDERS– Kyle Beckerman, Joe Corona, Stuart Holden, Alejandro Bedoya, Mikkel Diskerud, Josh Gatt, Jose Torres
FORWARDS– Will Bruin, Herculez Gomez, Landon Donovan, Chris Wondolowski, Jack McInerney
—–
Among the surprising omissions from the team were Brek Shea and former U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra. Shea is set to join Stoke City for pre-season while Bocanegra’s club future is uncertain, with rumors swirling that he will sign with MLS.
Here is the full list of players left off the final Gold Cup roster who were on the preliminary roster (these players could join the team after the group stage as replacements. Each team in the Gold Cup can make four roster chances after the group stage):
Tally Hall, Matt Besler, Carlos Bocanegra, Omar Gonzalez, Brad Davis, Brad Evans, Benny Feilhaber, Eddie Johnson, Brek Shea, Graham Zusi, Alan Gordon, Bobby Wood
The U.S. Gold Cup team opens tournament play on July 9th against Belize in Portland. They also face Cuba and Costa Rica in group play.
What do you think of the roster? Who are you excited to see make the team? Who are you disppointed to see left off?
Share your thoughts below.
I’m new to the sport, so can someone help me understand the Bocanegra situation? The consensus seems to be that a likely reason he was left off is that he is searching for a new club. Wouldn’t the Gold Cup be a good way to showcase himself in front of scouts, and thus a good thing, or is it the case that he needs to actually physically be in Europe (or whereever) going on trial with potential employers?
are we like trying to actually win this?
Would have liked to see Juan Agudelo on the roster.
Agreed. He is a solid international, and has been on all levels.
Am I the only one that thinks Bedoya is garbage?
Not in your house
He’s got 6 goals already this season for Helsinborgs. Got a feeling they kind of like him.
I think this roster pretty much is what was expected. IMO assuming that Klinsman didn’t want to mess to much with players who needed to there are only 2 glaring omissions in this roster and it was made back with the 35. They are George John and Agudelo. I’ll make the case for both.
George John: I think it is clear from the WCQ that Besler and Gonzalez are the top 2 but both need to improve (especially Gonzo). George John could help press both of them to keep improving and would provide another stable back up if either went down with injury or card accumulation. Boca and Gooch are likely done at the international level given their ages. John is in his prime. Further, John has been the best or one of the best CB in MLS for 3 years now. All in all that warrants a look to see if he can be solid at the next level.
Aguedelo: The guy has had some success at the USMNT level, is playing well for club, and is still really young. This is the type of player you want to give opportunities to see if they add something to the mix. Bruin, Wondo ect are all known quantities that have pretty much demonstrated they aren’t quite good enough for the USMNT, Give a younger kid with more potential their reps to see if he can help you.
How is George John playing right now? I get the impression he has been having an indifferent season. In which case why are you pushing for him?
As for Juan, I doubt the book will ever be closed on him as far as whether he goes to Brazil. Mostly he needs a nice long run of games in one place, some continuity.
The Gold Cup is just one segment in along series of tests leading up to Brazil. 11 months is a long time.
People lose form. People get hurt. There is a ways to go yet.
Agudelo is one of those players who has had a rocky club career, but always plays well for the Nats (a la Freddy Adu). We need to acknowledge that club and international football are different animals and some players are suited for one or the other.