The U.S. roster for the upcoming Gold Cup contains some older elements but a whole lot of new as well. That's exactly how as it should be, too: Manager Bruce Arena named a 23-man roster for the biennial event with 16 players hailing from MLS clubs.
The edition of the Gold Cup just a year prior to the World Cup has historically been a time when U.S. managers have looked to experiment a bit and give opportunities to players with minimal national team experience. That is largely the case here. The team's Europe-based regulars are being given a deserved rest after lengthy club seasons, which has opened the door for 10 players who are working with Arena for the first time. Thirteen players picked have fewer than 10 caps.
There are some experienced players on the team as well, with a dozen who can boast prior World Cup qualifying experience. But the fact that four players -- a group that includes Gent midfielder Kenny Saief, New England Revolution midfielder Kelyn Rowe, Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan and Sporting Kansas City forward Dom Dwyer -- will be taking part in their first U.S. national team camp shows the extent to which Arena is willing to mine the deeper regions of the U.S. player pool.
