Graham Zusi and Matt Besler selected for USMNT World Cup Roster

Graham Zusi and Matt Besler have been selected to the 23-man roster for the United States Men's National Team as they prepare to embark on their trip to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

This will be the first World Cup appearance for both men.

Here is the full roster.

GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (8): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

There were a couple of surprises, including the exclusion of 2010 World Cup hero Landon Donovan, who led the team with three goals and has scored five altogether in his World Cup appearances. Other exclusions from the preliminary roster included defenders Clarence Goodson of the San Jose Earthquakes, Brad Evans of the Seattle Sounders and Michael Parkhurst of the Columbus Crew. The midfielders cut were Joe Corona of Club Tiajuana and Maurice Edu from Philadelphia. Donovan and Terrance Boyd were the forwards cut.

Chris Wondolowski's efforts in the qualifiers and the Gold Cup payed off as he earned his first trip to the World Cup, as did young star Julian Green who made his national team debut earlier this year. The 23-man team will be in action Tuesday against Azerbaijan, before taking on Turkey the next Sunday. They will complete their pre-World Cup friendlies with a match against Nigeria on June 7th.

This means that Zusi and Besler will miss the next four MLS matches for Sporting Kansas City at the very least. Should the United States fail to reach the Round of 16, Zusi and Besler will be available next for Sporting Kansas City in their June 27th match in Portland. All in all, there are ten MLS players on the final roster.