United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann named 17 players from last year's World Cup lineup to the American roster announced Tuesday that will defend the title in next month's Gold Cup.

It's the most players ever from a World Cup to a US lineup in the Gold Cup the next year and the move underscores Klinsmann's desire to repeat and ensure the Americans a place in the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia, a tuneup event for the 2018 World Cup there.

"Our approach for putting together the roster for this summer's Gold Cup, which is very, very important to us, is obviously to do everything possible to win," Klinsmann said.

"Winning it would qualify us for the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia, so putting the pieces together is very crucial. That's why we came out with a roster full of quality, but also a lot of experience."

The Gold Cup features 12 teams from North America. The winner would play the US squad as 2013 winners for the right to compete in the 2017 Confederations Cup but if the Americans repeat they will clinch the spot themselves.

Seattle Sounders spark Clint Dempsey and Toronto forward Jozy Altidore will front the attack for Klinsmann while Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan anchors a defensive unit that features three Bundesliga players -- Eintracht Frankfurt's Tim Chandler, Hertha Berlin's John Brooks and Borussia Monchengladbach's Fabian Johnson -- and Bolton's Tim Ream.

The midfielders include Tottenham's DeAndre Yedlin, Toronto's Michael Bradley and Mix Diskerud of New York City.

"We believe we have a very, very strong group that can win this prestigious tournament," Klinsmann said.

The Americans play a final tuneup July 3 at Nashville against Guatemala and begin defending the Gold Cup four days later against Honduras in a group match at Frisco, Texas.

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), William Yarbrough (Club Leon)

Defenders: Ventura Alvarado (Club America), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Tim Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Tim Ream (Bolton Wanderers)

Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (New York City), Alfredo Morales (Ingolstadt), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Toronto), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)