ASN: Enviornment Names 4 Twin-Nationals to Gold Cup Checklist

Kenny Saief, Jesse Gonzalez, Cristian Roldan, and Dom Dwyer all made Bruce Enviornment’s 40-man preliminary roster for the 2017 Gold Cup—Saief and Gonzalez qualify as real surprises for the federation.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
June 03, 2017
11:00 PM

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ON SATURDAY Bruce Enviornment introduced the preliminary roster for the upcoming Gold Cup and it included Kenny Saief and Jesse Gonzalez, two dual-nationals who seemed to be heading for different federations. It was additionally revealed that Saief, an Israeli youth worldwide, has filed his one-time change of affiliation swap to play for america.

Right here is the total preliminary roster.

GOALKEEPERS

Joe Bendik (Orlando Metropolis SC), Jesse Gonzalez (FC Dallas), Brad Guzan (Atlanta United FC), Invoice Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids), Sean Johnson (New York Metropolis FC)

DEFENDERS

Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas Metropolis), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), Greg Garza (Atlanta United FC), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca/MEX), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas), Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Matt Miazga (Chelsea/ENG), Justin Morrow (Toronto FC/CAN), Matt Polster (Chicago Fireplace), Jonathan Spector (Orlando Metropolis SC), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna/MEX), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas Metropolis)

MIDFIELDERS

Paul Arriola (Membership Tijuana/MEX), Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC/CAN), Joe Corona (Membership Tijuana/MEX), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fireplace), Tommy McNamara (New York Metropolis FC), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Chris Pontius (Philadelphia Union), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC), Kelyn Rowe (New England Revolution), Kenny Saief (Gent/BEL), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)

FORWARDS

Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC/CAN), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Dom Dwyer (Sporting Kansas Metropolis), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC), C.J. Sapong (Philadelphia Union), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

The addition of Saief, 23, can be somewhat important as a result of the Gent midfielder has constructed up fairly a formidable resume lately. Born in Panama Metropolis, Fla., to Israeli dad and mom of the Druze faith, Saief and his household returned to Israel when he was six. It was there the place he developed and commenced enjoying for Israeli youth groups.

In 2014 he moved to Belgium to play for Gent and he made a robust impression. He grew to become a constant starter, gained a league title, and featured within the UEFA Champions League. A pure outdoors midfielder, Saief is an clever participant who can create offensive alternatives.

The addition of Gonzalez to this system can be noteworthy. The FC Dallas goalkeeper, 22, has performed for Mexican youth nationwide groups, together with on the U-20 World Cup in 2015. As Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, and Nick Rimando all enter the ultimate years of their careers, it’s unclear who’s subsequent in line. Gonzalez may have competitors with the likes of Ethan Horvath and Zach Steffen however Gonazalez has a excessive ceiling.

Two different dual-nationals additionally made the 40-man preliminary roster, though they do not qualify as surprises. English-born Dom Dwyer was extensively anticipated to get a shot after he sealed his U.S. citizenship in March. Cristian Roldan, who can be eligible to play for El Salvador,  was additionally talked about by Enviornment as being within the combine throughout a December Fb interview.

Whereas this listing is only a preliminary 40-player roster, all 4 dual-nationals appear like they’ve a very good probability at that includes this summer season on the Gold Cup and making their nationwide staff debuts.

What do you consider these new additions to the U.S. participant pool? Share your take beneath.