TAMPA, Fla. – The USL will have the largest representation in its history at the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup this summer with 26 players that have competed this season in the USL Championship and USL League One selected to represent their countries when the tournament kicks off on Saturday, June 15.

The representation marks almost a five-fold increase from the 2017 edition of the tournament, when six USL Championship players saw action in the bi-annual event. In all, fifteen Championship clubs will be represented at this year’s Gold Cup, as well as an additional three from League One.

“We are extremely proud of the players who have earned this opportunity to compete on the international stage at our region’s most important event,” said USL President Jake Edwards. “The increase in representation both in number of players selected and the wide range of teams they compete for in our professional leagues is indicative of the fast-rising level of competition and quality that can be found in the USL as a whole.”

OKC Energy FC leads all Championship clubs with four players earning selection. Defenders Alvin Jones and Mekeil Williams and forward Cordell Cato will represent Trinidad & Tobago – which has been drawn in the same group as the United States – while Je-Vaughn Watson was named to the Jamaica squad.

An additional five clubs had two players selected apiece, including both of last season’s participants in the USL Cup. Louisville City FC’s Shaun Francis and Devon “Speedy” Williams will team up with Phoenix Rising FC’s Junior Flemmings and Kevon Lambert in Jamaica’s squad as the Reggae Boyz look to make a third consecutive run to the final of the tournament.