Pulisic, Brooks, McKennie headline USMNT’s Gold Cup preliminary roster

The U.S. men’s national team is 23 days away from opening play at the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup and although many final roster decisions will need to be made by interim head coach B.J. Callaghan, the preliminary list of players was released on Thursday.

Christian Pulisic, John Brooks, and Weston McKennie headlined the USMNT’s 60-player preliminary roster for this summer’s tournament, Concacaf announced. Several other European stars were also named in the roster including Gio Reyna, Tim Weah, and Folarin Balogun.

Jesus Ferreira, John Tolkin, Cade Cowell, and Jordan Morris headlined the MLS-based contingent named to the preliminary roster.

Jamaica, Nicaragua, and a future preliminary round winner will join Callaghan’s squad in Group A of the tournament. Curaçao, French Guiana, Sint Maarten or St. Kitts and Nevis will be the fourth and final team in Group A.

The Gold Cup will run from June 16-July 16 across 15 host venues in the United States and Canada. The Preliminary Round of the Gold Cup will include 12 countries fighting for three final group stage spots.

The USMNT holds a 13-3-9 all-time record against the Reggae Boyz in all competitions, with their last head-to-head showdown coming in 2022 World Cup Qualifying. Nicaragua has only opposed the Americans once in its history, which took place during the 2017 Gold Cup.

The Americans are defending Gold Cup champions after defeating Mexico 1-0 in the 2021 final thanks to Miles Robinson’s extra time winner.

Here is the 60-man preliminary USMNT roster for the Concacaf Nations League:

Preliminary USMNT Gold Cup roster

GOALKEEPERS: Drake Callender, Gabriel Slonina, Sean Johnson, Roman Celentano, Matt Turner

DEFENDERS: John Brooks, Reggie Cannon, Marlon Fossey, Julian Gressel, Jonathan Gomez, DeJuan Jones, Aaron Long, Mark McKenzie, Matt Miazga, Shaq Moore, Jalen Neal, Erik Palmer-Brown, Bryan Reynolds, Miles Robinson, Joe Scally, John Tolkin, Auston Trusty, Caleb Wiley, Joshua Wynder, DeAndre Yedlin.

MIDFIELDERS: Brenden Aaronson, Kellyn Acosta, Gianluca Busio, Johnny Cardoso, Luca De La Torre, Richie Ledezma, Brooks Lennon, Weston McKennie, Djordje Mihailovic, Aidan Morris, Yunus Musah, Keaton Parks, Paxton Pomykal, Cristian Roldan, James Sands, Alan Sonora, Tanner Tessmann, Timothy Tillman, Jackson Yueill.

FORWARDS: Paul Arriola, Folarin Balogun, Taylor Booth, Tyler Boyd, Cade Cowell, Jeremy Ebobisse, Jesus Ferreira, Matthew Hoppe, Jordan Morris, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Jordan Pefok, Brandon Vazquez, Tim Weah, Haji Wright, Alex Zendejas.

What do you think of the roster? Who are you happy to see included? Who are you disappointed to see miss the cut?