Backheel Breakfast: USMNT Gold Cup squad is here, and it’s weird

Mere minutes before they kicked off their game against Germany, the United States released their preliminary 35-man squad for the Gold Cup, and there are a couple of really weird things about it.

Danny Williams, who started against Germany, isn’t on the team. Presumably Reading want him back for preseason training by the end of the Gold Cup and Jurgen Klinsmann obliged. Also omitted is Bobby Wood, the scorer of the game-winning goal against the Germans. Up until these two friendlies, Wood had been consistently disappointing. Now he’s scored two goals in two games against top opponents.

Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore are back, along with DaMarcus Beasley, who might come out of international retirement. Geoff Cameron and Jermaine Jones have been left out due to injuries, while Tim Howard is still on a sabbatical.

FIFA’s communications director got booted for making a joke about the police picking up Sepp Blatter. (Guardian)

Swansea City pulled off a minor coup, signing Andre Ayew. (Swansea City)

Newcastle have hired Steve McClaren as manager and appointed him to their board. (Newcastle United)

Ever seen Germany youngster Julian Brandt? He’s awesome. (/r/soccer)

Brazil legend Zico is running for FIFA president. (BBC)

Lionel Messi says his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo is a media invention. (AS)

Daniele De Rossi joins Marco Verratti on the trainer’s table. They’ll miss Italy’s big match against Croatia. (Football Italia)

Jose Mourinho has been banned from driving for six months. (Telegraph)

Bobby Gardiner asks if Swansea were lucky to finish 8th. (Stats Bomb)

Adam Bate on England not being over Italia ‘90. (The Set Pieces)

Daniel Squizzato on what the World Cup means to a Canada fan. (Paste)

The section in which nothing should be taken seriously. It’s rumor season, so this section will be expanded, and as the summer rolls on, it will probably be bigger than the actual news section.

Juventus aren’t looking to replace Andrea Pirlo like-for-like, but with Isco or Oscar. (AS)

Roberto Mancini says Mateo Kovacic will stay, despite English reports that Liverpool are close to signing him. (Football Italia)

Meanwhile, the Milan clubs are fighting over Zlatan. (ESPN FC)

Manchester United might get Karim Benzema as part of a David De Gea deal. (Telegraph)

And that could clear the way for Arsenal to sign Iker Casillas. (London Evening Standard)

The USMNT beat Germany, and it was awesome.

Germany vs. Norway (4 p.m.) - The Germans are the favorites, but Norway does have a recent competitive win over them.

China vs. Netherlands (6 p.m.) - A pretty crucial game in the race for second in Group A.

Ivory Coast vs. Thailand (7 p.m.) - Undoubtedly a must-win for both teams.

Chile vs. Ecuador (7:30 p.m.) - The Copa America opener, and hosts Chile should win their group.

Canada vs. New Zealand (9 p.m.) - Don’t sleep on the Ferns.

SB Nation presents: The future stars of the USMNT