After taking a break to return to Denmark for the opening match of the season, Michael Parkhurst has returned to the United States men’s national team to continue his busy summer.  The U.S. MNT face Honduras in the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal at Soldier Field on Thursday, July 23, at 6 p.m. CT live on Fox Soccer Channel.

The defender has made two appearances in the 2009 Gold Cup, starting against Honduras and Haiti before missing the Panama match.  He along with Jimmy Conrad are the most capped players on defense and will be key to organizing and leading a inexperienced cored.

The Red, White and Blue have had success against Honduras winning both outings.  With both sides using many young players in the Gold Cup, the U.S. edged Honduras 2-0 in the group stage behind goals from Santino Quaranta and Brian Ching.  But the U.S. looked confused and frustrated early in the game with the goals coming in the 70th and 79th minutes only after Benny Feilhaber and Charlie Davies, both critical to setting up the goals who are back with their club teams, came into the match.

The inexperienced side has started to worked together better since the tournament started and will need to continue to build to advance to the Gold Cup final.

Stuart Holden leads the U.S. team in scoring with two goals after four games and has been solid in midfield along with Kyle Beckerman.

U.S. Men’s National Team Roster – July 19-23 in Chicago
GOALKEEPERS (2): Jon Busch (Chicago Fire), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF),
DEFENDERS (6): Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Jay Heaps (New England Revolution), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjaelland), Heath Pearce (Out of Contract)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Davy Arnaud (Kansas City Wizards), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Colin Clark (Colorado Rapids), Sam Cronin (Toronto FC), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Logan Pause (Chicago Fire), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
FORWARDS (3): Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Santino Quaranta (D.C. United)

Honduras Roster by Position
GOALKEEPERS (3): John Bodden (CD Victoria), Ricardo Canales (CD Motagua), Donis Escobar (CD Olimpia)
DEFENDERS (7): Osman Chavez (CD Platense), Juan Carlos Garcia (CD Marathon), Nery Medina (Real Espana), David Molina (CD Motagua), Erick Norales (CD Marathon), Johnny Palacios (CD Olimpia), Luis Ramos (Nyireghaza Spartacus)
MIDFIELDERS (4): Miguel Castillo (CD Motagua), Roger Espinoza (Kansas City Wizards), Rigoberto Padilla (Hispano FC), Melvin Valladares (Real Espana)
FORWARDS (9): Marvin Chavez (CD Platanese), Carlos Costly (Belchatow), Edder Delgado (Real España), Allan Lalin (Real Espana), Luis Alfredo Lopez (Marathon), Walter Martinez (Alavez), Carlos Palacios (Real Espana), Georgie Welcome (Motagua), Carlos Mejia (Marathon)