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Seven Nashville and Huntsville players named to 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup preliminary rosters

Walker Zimmerman makes the shortlist for the United States, with four other senior players listed for their nations

May 19, 2025 . 10:39 AM

2 min read

The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup will kick off in less than a month when Mexico takes on the Domincan Republic at SoFi Stadium on June 14. While full 26-player rosters aren't due until June 4, Concacaf released full preliminary rosters for all 16 teams on Monday.

Seven players from the Nashville SC organization are on the shortlists for their respective teams.

Jacob Shaffelburg is on Canada's preliminary list, and if healthy is almost a lock to make the final roster. The winger has recently broken into Nashville's starting lineup after recovering from an injury early in the year, starting four of their last five league matches.

Walker Zimmerman is on the United States shortlist, despite missing Nashville's last eight matches after suffering a concussion against Charlotte FC on April 5. He has yet to appear in a match-day squad for Nashville since his injury, and while his timeline is unclear, he is progressing closer to a return.

The captain was in excellent form for Nashville before the injury, and potentially had a case to make a return to the national team with his strong showings and a struggling center back corps. Missing over a month with a concussion puts him in an uphill race for fitness, with just four matches left before the final squad is announced.

Bryan Acosta and Andy Najar are both on Honduras's preliminary roster, and both have good chances to make the final cut. Najar especially has been a stalwart for his country, locking down the starting right back spot and even wearing the captain's armband on occasion. Acosta has been less consistent, missing several of the more recent international windows with injuries, but both should be included if healthy.

Xavier Valdez is unsurprisingly on the shortlist for the Dominican Republic. While Nashville's third-choice 'keeper has yet to appear for the club, seeing more time in Huntsville than with the first team, he's the starter for his country and is a lock to make the roster if fit.

And finally, two Huntsville players are on their respective shortlists. Midfielder Moises Véliz has yet to make a senior appearance with Panama, but was a regular for them at the youth national team levels. He's been on the fringe of earning a spot with the senior team, included on several of their most recent shortlists.

And Real Gill is listed by Trinidad & Tobago. The 22-year-old winger has played 13 times for his country already, coming off the bench in a 4-0 win over Cuba in the Gold Cup qualifying rounds.