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Dom Dwyer, Kenny Saief get first United States call-ups for Gold Cup

Dom Dwyer and Kenny Saief will get their first opportunities to impress with the United States in July's Gold Cup.

Bruce Arena released his 23-man squad for the CONCACAF tournament on Sunday, and new-U.S. citizen Dwyer and Saief, who last week switched his national team allegiance from Israel, are the most noteworthy additions.

Not in the squad, however, is goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez, who was included in the 40-man preliminary roster despite two days before stating his preference for Mexico.

Sources told ESPN FC earlier this month the 22-year-old, who is eligible to play for both the U.S. and Mexico, had begun the process of tying his international allegiance to the U.S., but he will not play a part with at the Gold Cup.

With Gonzalez out, D.C. United's Bill Hamid and New York City FC's Sean Johnson were selected along with Brad Guzan in goal.

National team stalwarts such as Christian Pulisic, Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley and Tim Howard were not expected to be included in the squad, and Arena's list confirmed their exclusion, with the likes of Kelyn Rowe, Dax McCarty and Matt Miazga getting a chance to play alongside U.S. veterans Guzan and Alejandro Bedoya.

"It's a good roster with a nice blend of experienced, veteran players and a good group of newcomers as well," Arena said of the team. "There's good balance at every position.

"We can play a number of ways, and I think all these players have a desire to play for the U.S. and will be working hard. It will be a competitive camp. They are going to be highly motivated, very coachable and they have an opportunity to make a statement."

The United States will open their Gold Cup campaign on July 8 against Panama in Nashville. They will play a tune-up friendly against Ghana in East Hartford on July 1.

Here's the full squad:

GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan (Atlanta United), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (New York City FC)

DEFENDERS: Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas), Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest), Matt Miazga (Chelsea), Justin Morrow (Toronto FC), Jorge Villafana (Santos Laguna), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

MIDFIELDERS: Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana), Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Kelyn Rowe (New England Revolution), Kenny Saief (Gent), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)

FORWARDS: Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Dom Dwyer (Sporting Kansas City), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC)

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