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U.S. soccer players to appear nude in ESPN Body Issue

Alex Baker
Omar Gonzalez - Players in suits (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) / (Rock Scuteri/AP Photo)

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USA soccer players Omar Gonzalez and Megan Rapinoe will be appearing tastefully au natural in the upcoming edition of ESPN Magazine’s annual Body Issue.

Gonzalez, who plies his trade for the Los Angeles Galaxy, is currently in Brazil, having been selected for USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s 23-man World Cup squad. But the 6’5 defender has found his playing time thus far limited. The Galaxy center back had the unfortunate distinction of having been subbed on just moments before Portugal netted a late equalizer, throwing the U.S.’s progression beyond the group stage into doubt.

[Video: Klinsmann wants to beat Germany]

Rapinoe is a feisty midfielder who was part of the team that came in second place at the 2011 Women’s World Cup and went on to win gold the following year at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: Megan Rapinoe #15 of United States celebrates with the gold medal after defeating Japan by a score of 2-1 to win the Women's Football gold medal match on Day 13 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on August 9, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: Megan Rapinoe #15 of United States celebrates with the gold medal after defeating Japan by a score of 2-1 to win the Women's Football gold medal match on Day 13 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on August 9, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

ESPN has included a number of soccer players in past editions of the Body Issue, including USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard and women's national team players Hope Solo, Sydney Leroux and Abby Wambach.

[Related: Hope Solo arrested near Seattle]

This is not the first time Gonzalez has appeared on-camera sans clothing. Last Thanksgiving, the 25-year-old Gonzalez released a bizarre video on social media of himself wearing a speedo and playing a saxophone solo in the desert.

Among the other 22 athletes set to appear in this year’s Body Issue are Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, Texas Rangers first baseman Prince Felder, Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Serge Ibaka.

ESPN Magazine’s 2014 Body Issue will hit newsstands on July 11.

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