U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann loves keeping people on their toes, but there weren't too many surprises on the 40-man preliminary roster for next month's Copa America Centenario when it was released on Sunday evening.
There were a few interesting selections, however, and several notable omissions. With 17 cuts to be made before Klinsmann submits his final 23-man squad on May 20, the fact is this list tells us little about those on the bubble. But beyond the names were clues about how Klinsmann could approach the tournament in terms of personnel and tactics.
Here are five thoughts on Sunday's news.
1. It's a veteran-heavy group
Sure, blue-chip prospects like 17-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder Christian Pulisic and Norwegian-based keeper Ethan Horvath, 20, were included as expected. But so were 19 of the 23 players who Klinsmann took to the World Cup two years ago. Among those are Jozy Altidore, Alejandro Bedoya, Michael Bradley, Geoff Cameron, Clint Dempsey, Fabian Johnson and Jermaine Jones -- all starters in Brazil in 2014 and, if healthy, all locks to be in Klinsmann's lineup when the Americans kick off the competition June 3 against Colombia in Santa Clara, California.
The message from Klinsmann is clear: after a hugely disappointing 2015, the coach isn't about to use this competition to blood the next generation of talent. The U.S. will live and die with its vets this summer, and how the hosts fare will largely come down to the performances of Klinsmann's most trusted, experienced players.
2. Is Klinsmann considering a 4-3-3 formation?
First, a disclaimer: One shouldn't read too much into the positions players occupy on a list like this. Klinsmann is in no way bound by such designations, of course, and he changes his mind so often it's barely worth pointing out. Still, it is interesting to see who ended up where, and what, if anything, that might mean when the games get underway. Notably, Pulisic and Columbus Crew SC midfielder Ethan Finlay, both outside midfielders for their club teams, were named as forwards on the preliminary squad. Could that telegraph a desire to return to the attack-minded 4-3-3 Klinsmann favored early in his tenure?
The U.S. also used the three-forward set in its last game, March's 4-0 World Cup qualifying win against Guatemala. Granted, that was a must-win game against an inferior team; group stage Copa foes Colombia, Costa Rica and Paraguay will pose far stiffer tests. But the added bodies on the wings would help get service to target man Altidore up top, and it could mitigate the dangerous flank play all of those opponents - and Colombia in particular -- are capable of.
3. Lichaj the only shock
Versatile Nottingham Forest full-back Eric Lichaj emerged as a reliable starter in 2011 under former U.S. coach Bob Bradley. Deployed at left-back, the Chicago-area native helped the Americans reach the final of the Gold Cup that summer. Then the U.S. lost to Mexico, Klinsmann replaced Bradley at the helm of the national team, and suddenly Lichaj -- then with Premier League club Aston Villa couldn't get a sniff.
It took Klinsmann more than two years to give the him a first-hand look, and for Lichaj it wasn't worth the wait: he played just 27 minutes combined off the bench in two late 2013 friendlies in Scotland and Austria. But Lichaj is still just 27. He has been quietly consistent this season in England's second tier. And given the dearth of good options at left-back (outside of Borussia Monchengladbach winger Johnson), he's earned this chance even if his odds of making the final 23 remain long.
4. Chandler, Diskerud among the semi-surprises
Despite mighty recent struggles with their clubs, the only two U.S. field players who didn't see minutes at Brazil 2014 are still in contention for Copa America roster spots. Timmy Chandler has made just five starts for Eintracht Frankfurt this season -- four of them since March 19 -- and he missed the Bundesliga club's last two games through injury. Mix Diskerud lost his starting spot with New York City FC last month and he's now come off the bench in three consecutive games. Another Klinsmann favorite, Tijuana defender Michael Orozco, made the first cut after starting the Xolos' two most recent Liga MX matches.
5. No room for Shea or Yarbrough
The aforementioned issues at left-back seemed to bode well for Brek Shea's chances of at least making the larger group. But Klinsmann decided there was no place of the rangy Texan, who has started seven of Orlando City's eight games in that spot. William Yarbrough's omission appears to have come down to numbers. The Leon goalkeeper has played well in Liga MX this season, but Brad Guzan and Tim Howard are entrenched as the top two. After that, heir apparent Horvath already boasts big-game Europa League experience, David Bingham impressed Klinsmann during the month-long January-February camp, and fellow MLS player Nick Rimando keeps making saves like this despite his advancing age (Rimando turns 37 next month). In the end, Yarbrough was the one pushed out.