US national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann named a 26-man training camp roster Sunday for two upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifying matches against Guatemala with hopes of advancing before June's Copa America Centenario.

The Americans will gather in Miami ahead of matches Friday at Guatemala and March 29 at Columbus, Ohio. A US 6-1 victory over St. Vincent and the Grenadines and goalless draw with Trinidad and Tobago last November mean the US team could clinch a spot in the North American hexagonal qualifying finals with a Guatemala sweep.

"Our goal definitely for the two Guatemala fixtures is six points," Klinsmann said. "We badly want to get the job done before the Copa America Centenario if possible.

"We know it's going to be very difficult. We tried to make sure there's the right mix of players and we are convinced that this roster is strong enough to get the job done."

Half the lineup comes from Major League Soccer squads, including Seattle striker Clint Dempsey and Toronto's Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley, while eight others are from European sides, including Sunderland defender DeAndre Yedlin, Stoke City defender Geoff Cameron and goalkeepers Brad Guzan of Aston Villa and Tim Howard of Everton.

Eight players will arrive at the Miami camp seeking their first caps as Klinsmann tries to look at candidates for Copa America Centenario as well.

"It's hugely important for everyone coming in to understand this is the last time we meet before Copa America," Klinsmann said. "This is now the time where you have to show how good you are in terms of you want to make a statement to be in the roster for Copa America. So this is big. The competition will be intense."

Klinsmann wanted to look at goaltenders William Yarbrough of Mexico's Club Leon and San Jose's David Bingham of MLS as well as English Premier League veterans Guzan and Howard, who announced sunday he would join the MLS Colorado Rapids in July.

"We want to have the opportunity to see a couple more players," Klinsmann said. "We want to see where David Bingham is right now, where William Yarbrough -- who is playing very consistent with Club Leon -- is right now. It's definitely worth it for us to get a close look at a couple of players we think of in terms of Copa America as well."

The Americans are 15-4 with six drawn all-time against Guatemala and are on a 21-match unbeaten streak against Los Chapines, the US team's longest current undefeated run against any other nation.

The Americans are 7-0 with five drawn in all-time World Cup qualifying against Guatemala and 7-0 with three drawn in all-time qualifiers at Columbus.