FRISCO, Texas
– FC Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez will join defender Matt Hedges and midfielder Kellyn Acosta on the U.S. National Team roster for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinals, U.S. Soccer announced today.
Granted his one-time change of association request by FIFA earlier this month, Gonzalez will be taking part in his first U.S. MNT camp.
Gonzalez, 22, currently ranks third in MLS with a goals-against average of 0.93 and seventh (71.2%) in save percentage. He has stopped 37 of the 52 shots he has faced in 2017. Gonzalez is 6-2-7 with FC Dallas in MLS play and 16-8-8 all-time with 12 career shutouts.
Per tournament regulations, U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bruce Arena was able to make six changes to the 23-player 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup roster. Teams have the opportunity to make up to six changes to the roster in the 24 hours following the completion of the Group Stage. The U.S. beat Nicaragua, 3-0, yesterday to advance out of the Group Stage.
Goalkeepers Tim Howard and Jesse Gonzalez, midfielders Michael Bradley and Darlington Nagbe and forwards Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey join the roster. The six players replace goalkeepers Brad Guzan and Sean Johnson, midfielders Alejandro Bedoya, Cristian Roldan and Kelyn Rowe, and forward Dom Dwyer.
“We have added some experienced players to the roster that can help us in the Knockout Round of the Gold Cup. The players leaving all made a good impression, and I’m optimistic for their future with the National Team program.”
Four of the most experienced players in the current U.S. MNT player pool, Altidore, Bradley Dempsey and Howard each bring more than 100 caps worth of international seasoning to the U.S. squad for the Knockout Round. Nagbe has also been heavily involved with the MNT this cycle and particularly during 2017, appearing in each of the side’s seven matches prior to the current camp.
Coming off Saturday’s 3-0 win against Nicaragua, the USA finished first in Group B of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup after collecting seven points from three matches (2-0-1). The U.S. will await the results of Sunday’s Group C matches in order to learn its opponent for Wednesday’s Quarterfinal in Philadelphia.
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION (Club; Caps/Goals):
GOALKEEPERS (3):
Jesse Gonzalez (FC Dallas; 0/0), Bill Hamid (D.C. United; 3/0), Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids; 115/0)
DEFENDERS (8):
Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City; 42/1), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca/MEX; 42/2), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas; 4/0), Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest/ENG; 12/0), Matt Miazga (Chelsea/ENG; 3/1), Justin Morrow (Toronto FC/CAN; 2/0), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna, MEX; 9/0), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City; 51/5)
MIDFIELDERS (8):
Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas; 11/1), Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana/MEX; 8/2), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC/CAN; 133/17), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana/MEX; 20/3), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire; 10/0), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers; 17/1), Chris Pontius (Philadelphia Union; 4/0), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy; 34/6)
FORWARDS (4):
Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution; 25/3), Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC/CAN; 104/37), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC; 134/56), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC; 19/4)
