USA's Copa América squad: a look at Jürgen Klinsmann's selection

Goalkeepers

Brad Guzan

Caps 45 Age 31 Goals 0 Club Aston Villa

Got a chance to prove himself as the No1 in last year’s Gold Cup during Tim Howard’s year-long sabbatical, and retains Klinsmann’s faith for this tournament. Looked out of form as part of an Aston Villa backline that gave up a Premier League worst 76 goals this season, but hard to blame him for such generally shambolic defending. Looking to put an extremely trying year behind him with a good showing this summer. Was caught slightly out of position for Puerto Rico’s goal, but otherwise kept clean sheets against Ecuador and Bolivia in recent tune-ups.

Tim Howard

Caps 108 Goals 0 Age 37 Club Everton

Endured a rocky year at Everton, where he was dropped in favor of Joel Robles. A veteran of three World Cups, he was outstanding in the 2014 tournament where he set the record for most saves in a single match, with 15. A tremendous shot-stopper with vast experience, he will be starting this tournament as the backup before moving back to MLS this summer.

Ethan Horvath

Caps 0 Goals 0 Age 20 Club Molde

The next exciting prospect in a long tradition of strong US goalkeepers, he is expected to sit on the bench and soak in the combined wisdom of Guzan and Howard. Caught the eye of many scouts with his commanding performances in Molde’s Europa League campaign.

Defenders

Matt Besler

Caps 33 Goals 0 Age 29 Club Sporting Kansas City

Made his debut against Canada in January of 2013, and has been consistently called up by Klinsmann since then. Started every game for the US in the 2014 World Cup and was a lynchpin in the center of defense. Since then his form has been more erratic, but often finds another gear for big games.

Steve Birnbaum

Caps 5 Goals 1 Age 25 Club DC United

A dedicated and reliable player, he made full use of this year’s January camp, impressing Klinsmann by looking solid defensively and scoring once and assisting once in a friendly against Iceland. Pushed on from there by righting the US backline in a recent World Cup Qualifier against Guatemala. Coming into this summer’s tournament with some momentum behind him.

John Brooks

Caps 21 Goals 3 Age 23 Club Hertha Berlin

One of several German-American dual nationals, he made his debut in a 2013 friendly. Was a somewhat surprising choice for the 2014 World Cup, but justified his selection by coming on as a substitute and scoring against Ghana. Started all three friendlies leading up to the Copa and looks to be a lock to start against Colombia. Makes the occasional glaring mistake, but otherwise is a left-footed center back who is smooth on the ball and commanding in the air.

Geoff Cameron

Caps 40 Goals 4 Age 30 Club Stoke City

A stalwart for the team and impressed in the opening stages of the 2014 World Cup. A humble and hard-working player, his most natural position is center back, but can play right back or defensive midfield. Very strong in the air, and often an offensive target during set plays. Coming off a hamstring injury, but should be part of the starting lineup.

Edgar Castillo

Caps 18 Goals 0 Age 29 Club Monterrey

Drafted into the squad only after Timmy Chandler had to drop out because of a quad strain, he is still getting acclimatized to the group due to his late arrival. An unobjectionable left back who can be relied upon not to get caught too far upfield, he was a key part of Monterrey side that went to the Liga MX final this season.

Fabian Johnson

Caps 44 Goals 2 Age 28 Club Borussia Mönchengladbach

After representing Germany at various youth levels, made his national team debut in 2011 once Fifa ratified a one-time switch to the US. Was a bright spot in the 2014 World Cup. A smart player who is quick on and off the ball, he plays as a midfielder for Mönchengladbach, while Klinsmann prefers him operating as a pacy fullback.

Michael Orozco

Caps 25 Goals 4 Age 30 Club Tijuana

Seen as a useful utility player who can slot in anywhere across the backline by Klinsmann. Did not feature that regularly for Tijuana this season, although he started their final three games. An unspectacular defender who nonetheless pops up with the odd goal.

DeAndre Yedlin

Caps 34 Goals 0 Age 22 Club Sunderland

Burst on to the international scene by showcasing his pace and verve during the 2014 World Cup, where his overlapping wing play earned him a move to Tottenham. Finding minutes hard to come by, he was loaned to Sunderland, where his defensive attributes have started to catch up to his offensive ones. Still only 22, he is now a regular for the national team.

Midfielders

Kyle Beckerman

Caps 53 Goals 1 Age 34 Club Real Salt Lake

Seen as Mr Reliable for the US, he plays deep and disrupts opposition attacks with bitty, constant fouling. Has been a part of the national team setup since he was called in for a youth camp in 1997, and this looks likely to be his last major tournament.

Alejandro Bedoya

Caps 48 Goals 2 Age 29 Club Nantes FC

A clever player with good close control and solid positioning, he is a mainstay when fit. Can play as a winger or an attacking midfielder and, no matter where he plays offensively, he is often tasked with tracking back and helping out defensively. Is expected to start as the creator in Klinsmann’s 4-3-3.

Michael Bradley

Caps 115 Goals 15 Age 28 Club Toronto FC

The USA’s captain and driving force in midfield who can be relied upon to never stop running. Plays as a deep-lying ‘quarterback’ this year for Toronto, but Klinsmann hasn’t decided whether to keep him there or to push him forwards in a more box-to-box role. Covered more ground than anyone else in the 2014 World Cup group stage, and the USA will again look to him for tenacity, endurance, and vision.

Jermaine Jones

Caps 60 Goals 3 Age 34 Club Colorado Rapids

A German-American dual-national who didn’t suit up for the US until after the 2010 World Cup. Was arguably the player of the tournament in the 2014 edition, flying into tackles, linking play, and scoring the equalizer against Portugal that kickstarted the United States’ comeback. A Klinsmann favorite for his bite, attitude, and leadership.

Perry Kitchen

Caps 4 Goals 0 Age 24 Club Heart of Midlothian

Looked solid for Hearts after arriving in March following a protracted contract situation with DC United. Plays at the base of midfield as a screening No6, this could be a breakout tournament for him if he sees the field.

Darlington Nagbe

Caps 7 Goals 1 Age 25 Club Portland Timbers

Made his long-awaited national team debut in 2015, after finally obtaining US citizenship. Comfortable carrying the ball forward and linking midfield and attack, he has looked like the missing piece for the US midfield in recent games. His stoppage-time winner against Ecuador this past week shows that he might be adding goals to his game as well.

Christian Pulisic

Caps 3 Goals 1 Age 17 Club Borussia Dortmund

Came on as a second half substitute against Guatemala this March to lock down his future with the US national team. Only 17 years old and already starting for a club like Borussia Dortmund, he is seen as the US player with perhaps the highest potential. Did nothing to quell the hype by becoming the youngest US player to score in the modern era with his close-range finish against Bolivia. Agile and electric, it would not a surprise if Klinsmann calls on him this summer despite his young age.

Graham Zusi

Caps 35 Goals 4 Age 29 Club Sporting Kansas City

Changed the game against Ghana in 2014 when he came on as a substitute and has one of the better set-piece deliveries on the roster. Is nominally a winger, but tracks back often and lacks true pace. Scored recently against Guatemala in a World Cup Qualifier in March.

Forwards

Clint Dempsey

Caps 124 Goals 49 Age 33 Club Seattle Sounders

The USA’s second highest goal scorer of all time and the most capped player on this roster. Is the only American player to score in three consecutive World Cups (2006, 2010, and 2014.) Lost a bit of pace since moving back to the MLS, but still retains some of the trickery and guile that makes him one of the few players on this team who can create something out of nothing in the final third. Expected to shoulder more of the goal-scoring burden in Jozy Altidore’s absence.

Chris Wondolowski

Caps 32 Goals 10 Age 33 Club San Jose Earthquakes

A classic poacher with a proven scoring record in MLS. Praised by Klinsmann for his work ethic and leadership, he adds some experience to a frontline that looks slightly disorganized. Starting to transfer his league form to the national team more consistently, although some fans will never forgive him for that miss against Belgium in 2014.

Bobby Wood

Caps 19 Goals 5 Age 23 Club Hamburg

Scored both game-winning goals in a pair of friendlies against the Netherlands and Germany in 2015 to cement himself as a potent attacking threat for the national team. Coming off a strong season where he earned himself a move to Hamburg by scoring 17 times for Union Berlin in the II Bundesliga. A strong, fast player who prefers to run with the ball towards goal, he will be a key part of the US attack that is looking to rejigger itself without Altidore.

Gyasi Zardes

Caps 25 Goals 5 Age 24 Club LA Galaxy

Debuted for the US after the 2015 January camp and can play as either a winger or a target forward. Rangy, fast, and unafraid to take people on, he can also frustrate fans with a weak first touch and poor decision making. Has an ability to stretch games after coming on as a substitute, but will probably start after impressing Klinsmann with his work ethic in the training camps and a brace against Bolivia.