The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) today released the provisional rosters for national teams participating in this summer’s 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, which will feature five games played at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City from July 11-18.
Four Sporting Kansas City players were named to the preliminary squads with each national team selecting up to 60 players on their provisional roster in accordance with Concacaf regulations. The final 23-player rosters will be announced prior to the start of the competition on July 2.
- ROSTERS: Click here to view the provisional rosters
Sporting KC midfielder Gianluca Busio and goalkeeper Tim Melia have been selected by head coach Gregg Berhalter for the U.S. Men’s National Team’s provisional list, marking the first time either player has been announced to a full U.S. MNT roster. Sporting Kansas City forward Alan Pulido will be in contention to represent Mexico at a Gold Cup tournament for the first time in his distinguished career as part of head coach Gerardo Martino’s preliminary squad, while veteran Sporting KC midfielder Roger Espinoza has been named to Honduras’ player pool after representing his country at the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups as well as the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Busio, 19, previously earned call-ups to play for the United States Under-15, Under-17 and Under-20 youth national teams. The Sporting KC Academy product has eight goals and seven assists in MLS competition, and is the second youngest player in MLS history to score a goal and record an assist. Capable of playing multiple positions in the midfield and attack, Busio has become one of the top teenagers in American soccer since signing a Homegrown Player contract at age 15 in August 2017.
Melia, in his 12th professional season, is Sporting Kansas City’s all-time goalkeeping leader in wins (76), shutouts (53) and saves (521). The 2017 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and Best XI selection, Melia is renowned for his prowess in penalties with a perfect 6-0 record in shootouts during his pro career and the lowest rate of penalty goals conceded (.538) in MLS history among goalkeepers who have faced at least 10 penalty attempts.
Pulido, who made his 16th career appearance for Mexico last weekend, is among the most productive forwards in Major League Soccer and scored a league-best five goals in the month of May. The World Cup veteran led Sporting with six goals and five assists during his debut MLS campaign in 2020, marking the first time in 15 years that a player led the club in both categories. The Designated Player now has 17 combined goals and assists in 17 starts for Sporting KC since joining the club from C.D. Guadalajara, where he led Mexico’s top division with 12 goals in the 2019 Apertura season.
Espinoza has logged 53 appearances for Honduras since debuting at the 2009 Gold Cup. The midfielder scored four international goals and featured regularly during the most successful decade in the national team’s history. The 34-year-old has appeared in all nine matches for Sporting this season, starting seven, and ranks third in Kansas City history with 310 appearances for the club in all competitions. He starred for Sporting from 2008-2012 and returned to the club in 2015 after a two-year spell with Wigan Athletic in England.
The Gold Cup is the region's flagship international tournament, featuring men's national teams from across North America, Central America and the Caribbean. First contested in 1991 and taking place every two years, the Gold Cup crowns the confederation's champion and the 16th edition will be played from July 2-Aug. 1 in eight U.S. markets.
The Gold Cup returns to Kansas City - a Candidate Host City for the 2026 FIFA World Cup - for a fourth time (2011, 2015, 2019, 2021) since Children's Mercy Park opened a decade ago. Tickets start at $45 via SeatGeek.com and three-day passes can be purchased for access to all five international matches at the state-of-the-art venue, headlined by U.S. Men's National Team matches on July 11, July 15 and July 18.
2021 ConcacafGold Cupat Children's Mercy Park
All times CT, schedule subject to change
Sunday, July 11 (tickets)
5:30pm Canada vs Martinique
7:30pm United States vs TBD* (Winner Prelims 7)
Thursday, July 15 (tickets)
6:30pm Canada vs TBD* (Winner Prelims 7)
8:30pm United States vs Martinique
Sunday, July 18 (tickets)
4:00pm United States vs Canada
*TBD by 2021 Gold Cup Prelims from July 2-6
