NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson makes a stop during Saturday’s Hudson River Derby. (Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports)
By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor
Ending a four-year absence from international soccer, New York City FC goalkeeper Sean Johnson Sunday was called up to the U.S. national team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Johnson, who backstopped NYCFC’s 2-0 triumph over the Red Bulls in the Hudson River Derby Saturday, was named to the American squad for the first time since 2013.
“It’s special every single time,” Johnson said in a statement. “Every single time you get an opportunity to wear your country’s badge and represent what it means to be from the United States is great.
“You can’t explain the feeling and there’s never a time when you get called up that it doesn’t feel special.”
The 28-year-old Johnson will report to U.S. camp this week.
“I’m excited to be back with the group, having been part of the 2013 Gold Cup team that won, and I’m looking forward to getting out and doing it again,” he said.
City head coach Patrick Vieira applauded Johnson’s call-up.
“As a coach, as a football club, we are really proud and happy for Sean,” he said in a press release. “Since Sean arrived in our football club, he’s been working really hard and playing really well.”
Johnson, who has made five appearances for the national side, will miss a minimum of two games, which means bakc0ups Eirik Johnasen and/or Andre Rawls will see regular-season work for the first time this season. The 6-3, 215-lb. Johnson has played every minute this season, recording a 1.17 goals-against average, a 9-5-3 mark and four shutouts.
“Working with Eirik and Andre every day, the group’s been unbelievable and I think it’s something to be said for those two,” Johnson said. “Not much is said about the corps of goalkeepers, but with the goalkeeping coach and the other two goalkeepers I work with, it’s been great.”
The Gold Cup runs from July 7-26 and the USA traditionally has gone deep in the tournament, most recently winning the event in 2013 and finishing a disappointing fourth in 2015.
Midfielder-forward Tommy McNamara, who was named to the U.S.’s provisional roster, was not named to the team Sunday, but is eligible to become a replacement player in the knockout round of the tournament.
As per tournament rules, the final roster must be submitted no later than June 27 (Tuesday). A player may be replaced up to 24 hours prior a team’s first match of the group phase in the case of injury. Six changes may be made in the 24 hours after the end of the group phase ahead of the knockout round. The replacement players must come from the 40-man preliminary roster.
The U.S. roster (club; caps/goals)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Atlanta United FC; 54/0), Bill Hamid (D.C. United; 2/0), Sean Johnson (New York City FC; 5/0)
DEFENDERS (8): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City; 39/1), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca/MEX; 39/1), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas; 2/0), Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest/ENG; 11/0), Matt Miazga (Chelsea/ENG; 2/0), Justin Morrow (Toronto FC/CAN; 1/0), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna, MEX; 6/0), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City; 47/5)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas; 8/0), Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana/MEX; 5/2), Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union; 60/2), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana/MEX; 17/2), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire; 6/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC; 0/0), Kelyn Rowe (New England Revolution; 0/0), Kenny Saief (Gent/BEL; 0/0), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy; 31/7)
FORWARDS (3): Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution; 23/3), Dom Dwyer (Sporting Kansas City; 0/0), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC; 15/2)
