SEATTLE, WASH. – Sounders FC forward Jordan Morris and midfielder Cristian Roldan have been named to U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach Bruce Arena’s 23-player roster for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Morris, who has five international caps so far in 2017, is joined by teammate Roldan in the latter’s first call-up to the senior USMNT. The 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup, the region’s official national team tournament, begins next month throughout the United States, with Arena’s squad first playing a tune-up match against Ghana on July 1 in East Hartford (1:45 p.m. PT / ESPN, UniMas and UDN).
Morris, 22, has 15 caps for the U.S. Men's National Team, including five appearances so far in 2017. The Mercer Island native scored his second international goal in a 1-0 friendly win over Jamaica in February, following his first USMNT strike against Mexico on April 15, 2015. The Sounders FC Homegrown Player has two goals in 15 appearances so far in 2017 MLS regular season action after recording 14 goals in his first professional campaign last year (including postseason), earning 2016 AT&T MLS Rookie of the Year honors.
Roldan, 22, earns his first senior team USMNT call-up amidst his third professional season with Sounders FC. The versatile midfielder has played every minute so far this season, recording two goals and two assists, after making 55 appearances across his first two MLS seasons. Prior to the pro ranks, the Pico Rivero native spent two standout seasons at the University of Washington after a decorated high school career in which he was named the 2013 Gatorade National Player of the Year with 54 goals and 31 assists in his senior season.
Players begin reporting June 25 into Nashville, with Morris and Roldan set to join the squad following tonight’s match between Seattle and Portland at Providence Park. The USMNT heads to East Hartford, Connecticut for a tune-up fixture against Ghana on July 1 at Pratt & Whitney Stadium (1:45 p.m. PT / ESPN, UniMas and UDN). Arena’s squad begins Gold Cup play on July 8 against Panama, with kickoff in Nashville set for 1:30 p.m. PT and national television coverage on FOX and Univision Networks.
In all, there are 10 players who will be working with Arena at the National Team level for the first time, and 13 with less than 10 caps. Four players – including Roldan – are making their first appearance in a senior team camp.
The U.S. Men’s National Team has won the CONCACAF Gold Cup on five total occasions, coming away with the confederation title in 1991, 2002, 2005, 2007 and 2013. Having led the USMNT to the 2002 and 2005 championships, Arena is one of only two managers to win the tournament twice. In 13 previous editions, the USA is 51-8-8 all-time, advancing to the final nine times and the semifinals on 12 occasions.
Per tournament rules, the final roster must be submitted no later than June 27. A player may be replaced on the roster up to 24 hours prior a team’s first match of the group phase in the case of injury. In addition, a total of six changes may be made in the 24 hours after the end of the group phase ahead of the Knockout Round. In both instances, the replacement players must come from the 40-man preliminary roster.
After a 1-1 midweek draw with Orlando City SC, Sounders FC heads south Sunday evening to take on the Portland Timbers at Providence Park (7:30 p.m. PT / ESPN2, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM). Kickoff for tonight’s Cascadia Cup matchup is at 7:30 p.m. PT, with national coverage on ESPN2 beginning at 7:00 p.m. PT. Fans in the Seattle are invited to a watch party Doyle’s Public House in Tacoma (208 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, WA 98402) featuring Jason Rantz, Pete Fewing and Danny Jackson broadcasting their pre-match, halftime and post-match radio coverage live from the venue.
U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER BY POSITION (CLUB; CAPS/GOALS)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Atlanta United FC; 54/0), Bill Hamid (D.C. United; 2/0), Sean Johnson (New York City FC; 5/0)
DEFENDERS (8): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City; 39/1), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca/MEX; 39/1), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas; 2/0), Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest/ENG; 11/0), Matt Miazga (Chelsea/ENG; 2/0), Justin Morrow (Toronto FC/CAN; 1/0), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna, MEX; 6/0), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City; 47/5)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas; 8/0), Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana/MEX; 5/2), Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union; 60/2), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana/MEX; 17/2), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire; 6/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC; 0/0), Kelyn Rowe (New England Revolution; 0/0), Kenny Saief (Gent/BEL; 0/0), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy; 31/7)
FORWARDS (3): Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution; 23/3), Dom Dwyer (Sporting Kansas City; 0/0), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC; 15/2)
