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Jurgen Klinsmann has announced his roster for the 2013 Gold Cup, and it's just about as expected. DaMarcus Beasley, Clarence Goodson and Herculez Gomez are the only players who have been first choice in recent World Cup qualifiers to make the squad, while the likes of Mix Diskerud, Josh Gatt and Will Bruin will get opportunities to prove they deserve more senior team looks. The biggest name in the team is Landon Donovan, who earns a recall and will have a chance to play his way back into Klinsmann's first team.
Goalkeepers (3): Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders (8): Corey Ashe (Houston Dynamo), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Oguchi Onyewu (Malaga), Michael Orozco Fiscal (Puebla), Michael Parkhurst (FC Augsburg)
Midfielders (7): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Helsinborg), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Joshua Gatt (Molde FK), Stuart Holden (Bolton), Jose Torres (Tigres)
Forwards (5): Will Bruin (Houston Dynamo), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Herculez Gomez (Club Tijuana), Jack McInerney (Philadelphia Union), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
Brek Shea is a slight surprise as an omission, though he was sent home from the World Cup qualifying squad with an injury. Apparently, he's not close enough to full fitness to make this squad. The most surprising healthy omission -- though it's not a massive shock -- is that of Carlos Bocanegra. It's certainly telling that he can't get in the team ahead of either Oguchi Onyewu and Michael Orozco Fiscal. He'll probably need to make a move to MLS and turn in a dominant turn wherever he goes to get back into Klinsmann's thoughts.
The biggest opportunities for young or fringe players come in midfield and wide positions, where the United States have yet to find permanent answers. Eddie Johnson, Fabian Johnson, Jermaine Jones and Geoff Cameron have performed well, but none seems to have truly cemented their spot. It's also anyone's guess as to who Clint Dempsey's primary backup is. All of the midfielders selected will be fighting to move up the pecking order.
Gold Cup gets underway on July 7, with Canada and Martinique (!!!) playing the opening game. The United States play two days later against Belize in Portland.
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