Based on the roster selections for the 2017 Gold Cup, it’s clear CONCACAF heavyweights Mexico and the United States aren’t putting too much stock into the upcoming tournament.
Mexico, which sent many of its top players to the Confederations Cup, will be devoid of most of its stars at the Gold Cup.
The U.S., despite not being in the Confederations Cup and with a partial berth to the 2021 Confederations Cup on the line, is sending a side full of inexperienced players to the Gold Cup.
Among Bruce Arena’s 23-man roster are four players who have never even played for the Red, White & Blue, including two who never even played for the U.S. at the youth level.
Here’s what you need to know about these uncapped players.
Kenny Saief
Kenny Saief. Photo: @ReadUSSoccer | Twitter
Saief wasn’t on too many people’s radars even a few months ago, but the Florida-born midfielder, who played for Israel at the youth level and in a non-binding friendly, applied for a one-time switch to the U.S., which FIFA recently approved.
Saief, 23, moved to Israel when he was 4 and emerged as a promising prospect, eventually landing with KAA Gent in Belgium.
While not experienced at the international level, Saief has played in the Champions League, something few Americans can claim, particularly on this Gold Cup roster.
Saief is a versatile player for Arena. He can play anything from left wing back to attacking midfielder or even second striker. Given the dearth of experienced forwards on the roster, he could be asked to kick start the offense.
Cristian Roldan
Cristian Roldan. Photo: @dailyjmorris | Twitter
Hey, it’s our very own CR7!
Cristian Roldan is the closest thing we Americans have to Cristiano Ronaldo: Cristian Roldan is two Os away from having the same name.
While Roldan won’t be confused with the Real Madrid star anytime soon, he’s a promising young midfielder who has broken through with the Seattle Sounders.
The key to playing Roldan in this Gold Cup is to cap-tie him to the U.S. The California native is eligible to play for Guatemala and El Salvador, the nations of his parents’ births.
A former Gatorade National Player of the Year (2013), Roldan went to the University of Washington before he was drafted by Seattle.
Roldan, 22, is no stranger to the spotlight. When he was 9, he was the star of this Adidas soccer ad, showing off his juggling skills. Fortunately, he’s grown a bit since then.
Kelyn Rowe
Kelyn Rowe. Photo: @bvalentine14 | Twitter
Not to be confused with FC Dallas’ Kellyn Acosta (also on the Gold Cup roster, because you can never have too many Kelyns), Kelyn Rowe, 25, has been a regular with the New England Revolution for a while now.
A winger from Washington state, Rowe was the third pick in the 2012 draft after being the Pac-12 Player of the Year with UCLA.
Rowe can play attacking midfield or on the wing and has been a consistent provider of goals with the Revs, both scoring and assisting.
With more than 125 career starts in MLS, Rowe is one of the more experienced players on the U.S. Gold Cup roster, he just has never proven it at the senior international level.
By all accounts, Rowe is also a pretty good guy. He’s earned three Humanitarian of the Year awards and is a fan favorite for his work off the pitch.
Dom Dwyer
Dom Dwyer (with wife Sydney). Photo: @AlexisCuarezma | Twitter
The Sporting KC forward is well-known in American soccer for his wife, selfies and occasional goal-scoring in MLS.
However, Dwyer was born in England and didn’t come to America until after he struggled to break through as a youngster, in part due to injuries.
Dwyer, 26, first came stateside to play soccer at Tyler Junior College in Texas, where he was named junior college player of the year in addition to winning two national championships for the Apaches.
From there, Dwyer played for South Florida and then was drafted by Sporting KC in the first round of the 2012 draft. But it wasn’t until after spending time on loan that Dwyer finally got a chance in MLS and he’s taken it well.
The forward has 57 goals in 128 appearances with Sporting KC and will finally get a chance to represent a national team, even if it isn’t the one of his birth.
Dwyer is perhaps most known for his marriage to USWNT star Sydney Leroux. They have a son with the American name of Cassius and Dwyer became a citizen in March.
“I really hope I can give back to the country that’s given me a lot,” Dwyer said.
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