Three Seattle Sounders were named to the United States’ preliminary 40-man roster for this summer’s Gold Cup. Most notable among those names is Cristian Roldan, who made the cut along with forwards Clint Dempsey and Jordan Morris. This is Roldan’s first chance to represent the United States, but this does not cap tie him. He must make that 23-man roster and then play in a game.
Training camp for the USMNT starts on June 25, the same day as the Sounders match at Portland Timbers. Seattle also has MLS games July 4, July 19 and July 23, the last two of which are during the knockout stage of the tournament that officially starts on July 7. The Sounders’ friendly against Eintracht Frankfurt is July 8 and there may be US Open Cup games if they beat Portland on June 13.
The Gold Cup Group Stage is over on July 15th. MLS is pausing during the Group Stage proper, but is playing games during US training camp and the knockout rounds.
Roldan is also eligible for El Salvador and Guatemala through his parents.
Thirty-two of the 40 named play in MLS with 16 teams being represented. Often the US uses the Gold Cup during World Cup Qualifying years as a way to test its future talent. It can be a B-team and players who could play for other countries. Jesse Gonzalez is one of those. The FC Dallas keeper can also play for Mexico, who he has represented in youth competitions. Although he recently declared his intentions to represent Mexico, he was named to this roster perhaps as a last-ditch effort to sway him and his agent apparently said he was still undecided.
GOALKEEPERS (6): Joe Bendik (Orlando City SC), Jesse Gonzalez (FC Dallas), Brad Guzan (Atlanta United FC), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids), Sean Johnson (New York City FC)
DEFENDERS (12): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), Greg Garza (Atlanta United FC), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca/MEX), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas), Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Matt Miazga (Chelsea/ENG), Justin Morrow (Toronto FC/CAN), Matt Polster (Chicago Fire), Jonathan Spector (Orlando City SC), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna/MEX), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
MIDFIELDERS (15): Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana/MEX), Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC/CAN), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana/MEX), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire), Tommy McNamara (New York City FC), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Chris Pontius (Philadelphia Union), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC), Kelyn Rowe (New England Revolution), Kenny Saief (Gent/BEL), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
FORWARDS (7): Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC/CAN), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Dom Dwyer (Sporting Kansas City), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC), C.J. Sapong (Philadelphia Union), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)