SEATTLE, WASH. – Sounders FC forward Clint Dempsey has been called in by U.S. Men's National Team Head Coach Bruce Arena as one of six changes to the 23-player 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup roster. Per tournament regulations, teams can make up to six changes to the roster in the 24 hours following the completion of the Group Stage. As part of these changes, Sounders FC midfielder Cristian Roldan is returning to Seattle to re-join the club ahead of Wednesday’s home match vs. D.C. United (7:30 p.m. PT / Q13 FOX, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM).
Joining the roster are goalkeepers Tim Howard and Jesse Gonzalez, midfielders Michael Bradley and Darlington Nagbe, as well as forwards Jozy Altidore and Dempsey. The six players replace goalkeepers Brad Guzan and Sean Johnson, midfielders Alejandro Bedoya, Kelyn Rowe and Roldan, in addition to forward Dom Dwyer.
Dempsey, 34, has 134 career international caps and his 56 career goals are one short of Landon Donovan’s all-time USMNT record. The Nacogdoches native leads Sounders FC with seven goals in 16 appearances this season, while his 41 goals for Seattle are six behind Fredy Montero for the all-time club record.
Roldan, 22, returns to Seattle after earning his USMNT cap with 90 minutes of action in Wednesday’s 3-2 win over Martinique. The Pico Rivera native has two goals and two assists in 18 appearances for Sounders FC this season, giving him six goals and six assists in 73 career professional matches since being drafted by Seattle in the First Round of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft.
Dempsey joins Sounders FC forward Jordan Morris, who is remaining with the USMNT for the Knockout Round. Morris netted a brace in Wednesday’s win over Martinique.
Coming off Saturday's 3-0 win against Nicaragua, the USMNT finished first in Group B of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup after collecting seven points from three matches (2-0-1). Bruce Arena’s squad now awaits the results of Sunday's Group C matches to learn its opponent for Wednesday's Quarterfinal in Philadelphia.
After a short break from league action, Sounders FC returns to MLS play with a two-match week, beginning Wednesday, July 19 against D.C. United on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field (7:30 p.m. PT / Q13 FOX, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM). Brian Schmetzer’s side then hosts the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday, July 23 (7:30 p.m. PT / JOEtv, Univision-Seattle, ROOT SPORTS, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM).
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): Jesse Gonzalez (FC Dallas), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids)
DEFENDERS (8): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas), Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest), Matt Miazga (Chelsea), Justin Morrow (Toronto FC), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Chris Pontius (Philadelphia Union), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
FORWARDS (4): Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC)
