Final Exam: MNT's Gold Cup Roster Spots on the Line vs. Jamaica

CHICAGO (June 4, 2019) – The U.S. Men’s National Team plays its last match before the final 23-player roster for the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup is submitted when they host Jamaica on Wednesday, June 5 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.

Coverage of USA-Jamaica begins at 7 p.m. ET on FS1, UniMas and UDN. Fans can also follow along via U.S. Soccer’s official Facebook, Twitter (@USMNT) and Instagram (@USMNT) accounts.

USA DETAILED ROSTER BY POSITION (Club; Caps/Goals):

GOALKEEPERS (3): Sean Johnson (New York City FC; 7/0), Tyler Miller (LAFC; 0/0), Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew SC; 8/0)

DEFENDERS (9): Cameron Carter Vickers (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG; 7/0), Omar Gonzalez (Club Toronto FC/CAN; 49/3), Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes; 2/0), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls; 5/0), Daniel Lovitz (Montreal Impact/CAN; 3/0), Matt Miazga (Chelsea/ENG; 12/1), Tim Ream (Fulham/ENG; 28/1), Antonee Robinson (Everton/ENG; 6/0), Walker Zimmerman (LAFC; 6/2)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Michael Bradley (Toronto FC/CAN; 145/17), Duane Holmes (Derby County/ENG; 0/0), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 9/2), Weston McKennie (Schalke/GER; 8/1), Djordje Mihailovic (Chicago Fire; 2/1), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC; 9/0), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC; 15/0), Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes; 0/0)*

FORWARDS (9): Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC/CAN; 110/41), Jonathan Amon (Nordsjælland/DEN; 1/0), Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 21/3), Tyler Boyd (Vitória Guimãres/POR; 0/0), Joe Gyau (Duisburg/GER; 2/0), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC; 27/5), Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen/GER; 6/2) Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew SC; 44/7)

BERHALTER CALLS 29 PLAYERS FOR JAMAICA FRIENDLY

The U.S. Men’s National Team began the summer last week with a Combined Preparation Camp which some USMNT regulars training alongside a number of U-23 internationals at U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Following a week of training, head coach Gregg Berhalter named a 29-player roster to gather ahead of Wednesday’s match against Jamaica.

With final rosters for the 2019 Gold Cup due to Concacaf by midnight on Wednesday, the match will serve as a last evaluation for both coaching staffs before submitting their 23-player lists for the tournament.

JOZY ALTIDORE RETURNS

This week’s camp marks veteran striker Jozy Altidore’s first with the National Team since 2017.

Having debuted for the USMNT as a 17-year-old back in 2007, the Toronto FC forward’s international accomplishments are many. He’s one of 17 players to reach 100 caps and was the second youngest in team history to do it (he now has 110). Meanwhile, his 41 goals already rank third all-time, with only joint leaders Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan to catch up to at 57.

A veteran of six international tournaments, Altidore was vital in the USA’s run to the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup, scoring in both the 2-0 semifinal win against Costa Rica and 2-1 victory against Jamaica in the final.

POSSIBLE DEBUTS

Four players on the roster have the potential to make their international debuts against Jamaica: goalkeeper Tyler Miller, midfielders Duane Holmes and Jackson Yueill, and winger Tyler Boyd.

Previously a New Zealand international, Boyd became eligible for the United States two weeks ago when his Change of Association request was granted by FIFA. With a Kiwi father and American mother, the 24-year-old was born in New Zealand, but the family moved back to the U.S. shortly after, settling in Santa Ynez, Calif.

Boyd comes off a half-season loan with Turkish Super Lig side Ankaragücü where he racked up six goals and four assists in 14 matches during 2019.

Derby County midfielder Duane Holmes is in the midst of his first camp with the MNT. Born in Columbus, Ga., the diminutive midfielder moved to England at age four and has plied his trade there ever since. Holmes appeared in 32 matches across all competitions this season, helping Derby to the English Championship Promotion Playoff Final.

Having taken part in March’s U-23 MNT camp, Yueill will get a brief look with the senior team this week. While he has a chance to make his MNT debut against Jamaica, the San Jose Earthquakes midfielder was not named to the provisional 40-player roster for the Gold Cup and will not be available for selection for the tournament.

Finally, goalkeeper Tyler Miller gets his second MNT summons after being involved in this year’s January Camp.

USA-JAMAICA NOTES

• Since first meeting in 1988, the teams have faced each other 25 times with the USMNT holding a healthy 15-2-8 advantage.
• The last meeting came in the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup Final, when goals from Jozy Altidore and Jordan Morris helped the USA claim its sixth confederation title.
• Wednesday’s game marks the second meeting between the two sides in Washington, D.C., with the first being a 1-1 draw in 1998 FIFA World Cup Qualifying on Oct. 3, 1997 at RFK Stadium.

 

USA ROSTER NOTES

• The USMNT’s third all-time leading goal scorer and one of 17 players to reach 100 caps, Jozy Altidore returns to the side for the first time since 2017.
• Nine players that took part in this week’s Combined Preparation Camp will continue on the roster for the Jamaica game: Jonathan Amon, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Omar Gonzalez, Joe Gyau, Duane Holmes, Matt Miazga, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson and Josh Sargent.
• Six players appeared in the USA’s last encounter with Jamaica – a 2-1 win in the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup Final: Altidore, Arriola, Michael Bradley, Omar Gonzalez, Jordan Morris and Gyasi Zardes.
• The roster features players tied to clubs in seven different countries: USA (14), England (5), Canada (3), Germany (3), Denmark (1), Mexico (1), Portugal (1)
• Making his first USMNT camp appearance, San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Jackson Yueill is the lone player not on the Provisional Gold Cup roster.
• Three players on the U.S. roster have scored against Jamaica: Jozy Altidore (3), Jordan Morris (2), Michael Bradley (1).
• MNT center back Walker Zimmerman made his international debut against Jamaica, going the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 friendly victory on Feb. 5, 2017 in Chattanooga.
• Goalkeeper Sean Johnson and winger Jonathan Lewis are both of Jamaican descent. Lewis also lived for a short time on the Caribbean island.

JAMAICA ROSTER BY POSITION:

• Jamaica is currently ranked 53rd in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings
• The Reggae Boyz are coached by Theodore Whitmore. Part of Jamaica’s 1998 FIFA World Cup team, Whitmore earned 120 caps and scored 24 goals in an international career that ran from 1993-2004.
• Twelve players on the roster are based in the United States, with five in MLS and seven in USL. 
• Leading the way are goalkeeper Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union); defenders Kemar Lawrence (New York Red Bulls) and Alvas Powell (FC Cincinnati); midfielder Peter Vassel (LAFC) and forward Darren Mattocks (FC Cincinnati).
• Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Leon Bailey also seems likely to make his international debut for the Reggae Boyz. Having just finished his third season with the German club, the 21-year-old scored five goals in 29 appearances this season, helping the club secure a spot in UEFA Champions League qualifying for the next campaign.