Cuba's preliminary roster for CONCACAF Gold Cup announced

The Cuban Football Association (AFC) announced Thursday, through its Twitter account, the list of players eligible for the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2023.

The list of 33 players includes some of outstanding performance in the 107th National Soccer League, such as Holguin attacker Cristian Valiente, leading scorer, and striker Samoelbis López.

Other novelties distinguish the pre-selection, such as the inclusion of the net breaker Aldair Ruiz and other talented young players such as Kevin Martin, Alejandro Delgado, Ronald Sánchez, Alejandro Fernández, Kevin Fernández and the best player of the last domestic championship, Romario Torres. Some of them had very good performances with the U-20 national team in the pre-World Cup.

"From this large group will come the 23 players selected for the Gold Cup, which begins at the end of June, whose names will be announced within the deadlines established by the competition," said Miguel Ángel Díaz, AFC general secretary.

The absences of Karel Espino and Dairon Reyes, two of the most important players in coach Pablo Elier Sánchez's squad, who will miss the important match due to recent injuries, as well as the talented Santiaguero Christian Flores, who is recovering from surgery, stand out in the roster.

The official call for the friendlies against Chile and Uruguay will be made public soon, which will not necessarily be the final roster for the Gold Cup, according to Díaz, who explained to JIT.

Completing the shortlist are goalkeepers Sandy Sánchez, Raiko Arozarena and Nelson Johnston. Other defenders include Mario Peñalver, Modesto Méndez, Carlos Vázquez, Dariel Morejón, Yosel Piedra, Jorge Luis Corrales, Greibel Palma and Jassael Herrera.

Eduardo Hernández, Aricheell Hernández, Neisser Sandó, Yunior Yuri Pérez, Carlos Denilson, Rolando Abreu and Roberney Caballero make up the midfield. On the attacking front, Onel Hernández, Maykel Reyes, William Pozo, Daniel Díaz, Yasnier Matos and Luis Javier Paradela stand out.

The Leones del Caribe will make their debut on June 27 against Guatemala, a crucial match in their hopes of advancing from the group stage.