Jozy Altidore celebrates after scoring a goal for the US against Panama in a World Cup Qualifying match at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. on Tuesday, June 11, 2013. (Photo by Mike Russell | mikerussellfoto.com)
While Haitians all over the world are celebrating the advancement of the Haiti National Soccer Team to the Quarterfinals following their win against Honduras last night, Haitian-Americans soccer player Jozy Altidore’s Gold Cup run appears to be over.
The Toronto FC striker indicated in a tweet on Tuesday morning that he is leaving the US men’s national team, after a 1-1 draw against Panama on Monday night.
U.S. striker Jozy Altidore will miss the rest of the Gold Cup after coach Jurgen Klinsmann made three changes to his squad ahead of the knockout round. The U.S. added defender DaMarcus Beasley, midfielder Joe Corona and forward Alan Gordon to the team, replacing Altidore, Greg Garza and Alfredo Morales. Beasley, 33, returns to the national team despite announcing his international retirement last year.
He has continued playing in MLS with the Houston Dynamo. Teams could make up to six changes to their 23-man squad before the knockout round, using players from their 35-player preliminary lists. Altidore, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, did not play in Monday’s 1-1 draw with Panama, when the U.S. already had their place secured as winners of Group A.
He sent a tweet wishing his teammates well as they try to win the CONCACAF tournament for the second straight time.
Always a pleasure to be a part of @ussoccer all the best to the boys the rest of the way! #KeepTheCup#USMNT
Altidore started the Americans’ first two games last week but failed to find the net and was substituted in the second half of both wins. He also left his final game with Toronto FC before joining the U.S. in the 71st minute. Klinsmann previously stood by his decision to name the 25-year-old to the squad but said the injury was too much for Altidore to overcome.
“We believe that Jozy’s just not there yet. Jozy never really got into this tournament and never really picked up the rhythm,” Klinsmann said in a statement. “He’s just simply not in the shape right now to help us. For Jozy it’s just simply going back to Toronto, picking up his rhythm, getting in shape, working on his fitness and then he will start scoring goals again. That’s why Alan Gordon was on the standby roster from the beginning and that’s why we brought him in.
Gordon has scored four MLS goals this season for the LA Galaxy and also scored the winner against Club America in the International Champions Cup friendly on Saturday night.
“He’s fully fit, he’s so full of energy, he scores goals with the Galaxy, and he fits in right away,” Klinsmann said of Gordon. “He’s a pure giver to the group, and he might be a player that can make a difference at any second when you bring him in.”
Beasley has 121 international caps for the U.S., the fifth-most all time and more than anyone else on the current squad. Continue Reading on ESPNFC
Jozy Altidore celebrates after scoring a goal for the US against Panama in a World Cup Qualifying match at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. on Tuesday, June 11, 2013. (Photo by Mike Russell | mikerussellfoto.com)
