Klinsmann names USMNT squad for World Cup qualifiers: Nagbe in, Dempsey out

The U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT), following a Gold Cup to forget and a CONCACAF Cup that induced heartbreak, is ready to write their next chapter.

On Friday, manager Jurgen Klinsmann revealed the 23-man squad that will represent the USMNT in its first two 2018 World Cup qualifiers. Up first is a fixture at Busch Stadium in St. Louis versus St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Nov. 13, followed by a trip to Trinidad and Tobago on Nov. 17.

Most notably, Darlington Nagbe of the Portland Timbers - born in Liberia and playing the best football of his career - received his first call up to the USMNT.

Nagbe only became a U.S. citizen in September despite fleeing Liberia and later settling in Cleveland when he was an infant. His presence in the central midfield, along with his unmatched first touch, should bode well for a national team that's struggled to find space in recent times.

The USMNT is winless in four straight home games versus CONCACAF sides and has only out-shot two of its last 10 opponents, as Matthew Doyle of MLSsoccer.com points out. The introduction of Nagbe should be welcomed by USMNT supporters if he's deployed properly in central midfield.

Matt Miazga of the New York Red Bulls, a product of the Red Bulls Academy who became one of the club's backline this season, also received his first ever call up to the USMNT, while Klinsmann included 11 players from the USMNT's 2014 World Cup squad.

Regarding notable omissions, Clint Dempsey, in the midst of captaining the Seattle Sounders in the MLS Cup Playoffs, and Aron Johannsson, recovering from hip surgery, were left off Klinsmann's list.

"At this point in time, I wanted to give the younger strikers a chance to prove themselves, and this is a good stage to do it," Klinsmann said, according to the Guardian. "

Here's a look at the roster in full:

Goalkeepers

Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Everton)

Defenders

Ventura Alvarado (Club America), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach), Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), Tim Ream (Fulham), Brek Shea (Orlando City SC)

Midfielders

Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Miguel Ibarra (Club Leon), Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), DeAndre Yedlin (Sunderland)

Forwards

Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Alan Gordon (LA Galaxy), Jordan Morris (Stanford), Bobby Wood (Union Berlin), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)