United States Men's National Team: Graham Zusi called up for the Gold Cup, Matt Besler left off the roster

Sporting Kansas City winger Graham Zusi will play for the United States in the 2015 Gold Cup, marking the first time he has been with the team since their October 2014 friendly with Honduras.

Defender Matt Besler, who was on the 30-man provisional roster, was not called up to the 23-man roster for the tournament. He is still eligible to be called up for the knockout stage, should the United States advance that far.

Zusi will join the United States for their July 8 group stage match against Honduras in Frisco, Texas, July 10 against Haiti in Foxborough and will close out the group stage with a home-field match July 13 against Panama at Sporting Park.

"It's good for (Zusi) and I understand (Besler) is not going but its good for us that (Besler) is staying," Sporting KC technical director Peter Vermes said.

Soni Mustivar, who was a potential call-up for Haiti, was not listed on their roster so Zusi will not play against his teammate when the Americans lock horns with Haiti. The same is true with Honduras since Roger Espinoza declined his call up. This leaves Sporting KC with only two representatives at the Gold Cup, Zusi and Marcel de Jong.

"I pretty much knew (de Jong) was going to go, I thought (Zusi) and (Besler) were going to go as well," Vermes said. "That is more just what I thought, I didn't talk to anyone about it."

Vermes also said that, while he has talked to United States head coach Jurgen Klinsmann about Besler or Zusi being called up in the past, he did not talk to him this time around.

"I'm not in those camps for those countries so I don't know what goes on there, what they are they thinking or why they are doing what they are," he said. "I am sure they have their reasons but it is not for me to answer because I am not there."

Zusi will report to the United States camp following Sporting KC's June 27 match against the Colorado Rapids and could potentially miss up to five matches in all competitions for his club.

The midfielder has earned 28 caps for the United States with three goals, including one at Sporting Park. He had two assists a year ago in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Here is the full United States roster.

GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa/2007), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake/2011, 2013), William Yarbrough (Club Leon)

DEFENDERS (7): Ventura Alvarado (Club America), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC/2009), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy/2013), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Tim Ream (Bolton Wanderers/2011)

MIDFIELDERS (9): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake/2009, 2013), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes/2011, 2013), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC/2007, 2011), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo/2005), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC/2013), Alfredo Morales (Ingolstadt), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC/2011), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC/2005, 2007, 2011), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes/2011, 2013)