Two months have passed since the U.S. national team closed out the 2016 Copa America with a 1-0 loss to Colombia in the third-place match, a stretch of time that feels like an eternity for U.S. fans eager to see the team build on the positives drawn from the June tournament.

The losses to Argentina and Colombia to close out the tournament may have left a sour taste for some, but there were plenty of positives, even if the subsequent layoff make the idea of carrying over momentum into the fall a bit unrealistic.

Nevertheless, the U.S. is riding momentum into September's qualifiers with the excellent form being enjoyed by several key players. Michael Bradley has returned from the knee injury suffered at the Copa America and is rounding into shape. Clint Dempsey is back to his goal-scoring best on a streaking Seattle side, and Jozy Altidore is healthy and scoring goals again. Tim Howard has enjoyed an excellent transition back into MLS, while Alejandro Bedoya is looking right at home in Philadelphia.

Coach Jurgen Klinsmann also has some new faces to consider from Union right back Keegan Rosenberry to New York City FC midfielder Tommy McNamara, who happens to be eligible to play for Ireland. Jorge Villafana is still waiting for his call since becoming a regular starter in Mexico, while 20-year-old midfielder Lynden Gooch has played well in two starts for Sunderland.

Don't expect Klinsmann to get too creative with his selections. As much as the Americans will be favored in both September qualifiers, Klinsmann will want to do everything possible to ensure a pair of wins and a chance to play its toughest hexagonal round matchups in the first two matches of the round. The U.S. needs to win both qualifiers in order for that to happen.

As important as the matches are, there are sure to be some faces in the next U.S. camp that weren't a part of Copa America, and given the length of the camp leading up to the qualifiers against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago, we are likely to be as close to a first-choice squad as possible, particularly in the second September match, against Trinidad and Tobago.

So what will the U.S. squad look like for the September friendly? Here are the possibilities:

GOALKEEPERS

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Likely selections- Brad Guzan, Tim Howard, Ethan Horvath.

On the fence- Bill Hamid, David Bingham.

Outlook- Given how good Howard has looked for the Rapids, it isn't a stretch to think Klinsmann will go back to him as a starter, but Guzan could also keep the job if he continues to start for Middlesbrough. Horvath is playing regularly for Molde again and is one for the future so he makes sense as a third option, unless Klinsman decides to go with an MLS goalkeeper. Hamid is back healthy, but his repeated injuries have become a sore subject for Klinsmann, who could turn to Bingham instead.

DEFENDERS

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