GOAL - Ben Valentine

United States national team coach Gregg Berhalter has trimmed his roster for friendlies against Panama and Costa Rica down to 23 players with Colorado Rapids midfielder Kellyn Acosta among those released back to their teams.

Berhalter is overseeing his first camp as USMNT boss, and is set to coach his first friendly for the national team on Sunday in Glendale, Ariz. against Panama.

The former Columbus Crew head coach had called in a roster of 27 players for the camp made up of entirely of MLS players as is often the case for the nation’s January camp.

However, Berhalter has now released four players to return to their teams.

“We’ve had a great two weeks in Chula Vista focusing on building team culture, style of play and competing every day,” Berhalter said in a statement. “The entire group has worked hard and brought an excellent mindset, and we thank them for the consistent effort thus far.

“We look forward to continuing to build on these ideas in Phoenix and measure our progress in the game against Panama.”

Acosta was the most experienced of the players released having been capped 23 times for the USMNT, scoring two goals. 

In addition to Acosta, Toronto FC's Alex Bono and Los Angeles FC's Tyler Miller, both goalkeepers, have been released from the camp, along with Real Salt Lake defender Justen Glad.

Both Miller and Glad have been capped at the youth national team level by the U.S. but will have to wait for their first senior cap, while Bono will not be able to build on his single international appearance.

The departure of the goalkeepers leaves Zack Steffen of Columbus and NYCFC’s Sean Johnson as the two options left in camp.

While Miller and Glad won’t receive their first cap, 11 other players in Berhalter’s camp could be in line for their first ever senior team appearances.

Following the match against Panama, the USMNT will travel to San Jose, Calif. to face Costa Rica on February 2.

The USMNT roster in full (Club; Caps/Goals):

GOALKEEPERS (2): Sean Johnson (New York City FC; 5/0), Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew SC; 6/0)

DEFENDERS (8): Reggie Cannon (FC Dallas; 2/0), Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes; 0/0), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls; 2/0), Daniel Lovitz (Montreal Impact/CAN; 0/0), Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union; 0/0), Keegan Rosenberry (Colorado Rapids; 0/0), Auston Trusty (Philadelphia Union; 0/0), Walker Zimmerman (LAFC; 4/1)

MIDFIELDERS (10): Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 17/2), Corey Baird (Real Salt Lake; 0/0), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC/CAN; 142/17), Russell Canouse (D.C. United; 0/0), Marky Delgado (Toronto FC/CAN; 6/0), Jonathan Lewis (New York City FC; 0/0), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 5/1), Djordje Mihailovic (Chicago Fire; 0/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC; 5/0), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC; 11/0)

FORWARDS (3): Jeremy Ebobisse (Portland Timbers, 0/0), Christian Ramirez (LAFC; 0/0), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew SC; 40/6)