USMNT in the Gold Cup 2023: roster, shirt numbers and players of the US national team

With Mexico in turmoil, the USMNT reinforced their position as CONCACAF’s dominant national team on Sunday by defeating Canada to win the Nations League title for the second time running. As well as being the only country to have won that particular tournament, the Stars and Stripes have also won two of the last three Gold Cups, with their last success seeing them edge out El Tri in the final in Paradise, Nevada in 2021. But what should we expect from the defending champions in the 2023 edition?

Berhalter out...and in again

The United States are also going through something of a transition, which, ironically enough, will take them back to where they started. Gregg Berhalter left his post as head coach after the 2022 World Cup and the ‘Gio Reyna scandal’, with Anthony Hudson being appointed as interim boss before BJ Callaghan took over just before the Nations League Finals. Before that tournament, it was then announced that Berhalter would return as boss but not until after the Gold Cup.

BJ Callaghan’s second shot at glory in six weeks

Should the USMNT reach the Gold Cup final, Callaghan will be in temporary charge for a total of just over six weeks and could win two tournaments in that time. Only Bruce Arena, who took charge of 148 matches, and Berhalter himself, who has been in the dugout for 60 so far, have led the team to multiple titles. Callaghan could achieve the feat in just eight.

USMNT name ‘experimental’ roster for 2023 Gold Cup

Under normal circumstances, the United States would probably be considered favourites for the upcoming tournament, although that tag for most bookmakers actually falls to Mexico, despite their recent struggles. That is mainly due to the fact that El Tri have named a fairly strong roster, with the USMNT’s best described as ‘experimental’.

A few familiar faces will be involved, such as DeAndre Yedlin (78 caps), Aaron Long (32 caps) and Jordan Morris (52 caps), but only five players (Sean Johnson, Matt Turner, Miles Robinson and Alan Soñora) who competed in the Concacaf Nations League Finals will stay on for the Gold Cup. That means the likes of Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Reyna will be given some time off to recharge their batteries.

The 23-man roster contains 16 players from MLS clubs, five who play in Europe and two in Liga MX. No fewer than nine members of the roster (Soñora, Cade Cowell, Julian Gressel, DeJuan Jones, Aidan Morris, Jalen Neal, Gaga Slonina, John Tolkin and Brandon Vazquez) have yet to play their first competitive game for the USMNT.

The USMNT’s 2023 Gold Cup roster

The USMNT’s 2023 Gold Cup schedule

Group A

Saturday 24 June: USMNT vs Jamaica, Soldier Field Chicago

Wednesday 28 June: Saint Kitts and Nevis vs USMNT, CityPark, St. Louis

Sunday 2 June: USMNT vs Trinidad & Tobago, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte