Photo by Trevor Ruszkowski/USA Today Sports
Christian Pulisic and Jordan Morris have both impressed in their first year playing as professionals, but only one of them will be taking part in Copa America.
Pulisic, Ethan Horvath and Perry Kitchen were among the fresh faces included in the 23-man U.S. Copa America squad, which was unveiled on Saturday. Familiar faces Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Geoff Cameron and Fabian Johnson headline the group, which kicks off on June 3 with the USMNT facing Colombia in Santa Clara, California.
In total, 15 players from the 2014 World Cup squad are on the Copa America roster, while 18 have already appeared in the current World Cup qualifying cycle.
One player not in the 23-man roster is Morris, who was considered a good bet to make it after his recent run of goals for the Seattle Sounders.
Following the Colombia match, the USMNT will take on Costa Rica in Chicago on June 7, before wrapping up the group stage against Paraguay in Philadelphia on June 11.
Prior to the Copa America, the U.S. will play a trio of friendly, starting with Sunday’s match against Puerto Rico, which will be played without MLS players. With the full roster set, the U.S. will then take on Ecuador and Bolivia in the run up to the tournament.
Here is the USMNT Copa America roster:
GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids), Ethan Horvath (Molde IK)
DEFENDERS: Matt Besler (Sporting KC), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur)
MIDFIELDERS: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (FC Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Jermaine Jones (Colorado Rapids), Perry Kitchen (Heart of Midlothian), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Graham Zusi (Sporting KC)
FORWARDS: Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Bobby Wood (Hamburg SV), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
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What do you think of the USMNT roster? Any surprises or notable snubs? Who do you see starting against Colombia?
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