Jozy Altidore Dropped From U.S. Gold Cup Squad In Mid-Tourney Adjustments

The United States men’s national soccer team now is playing for keeps, and Jozy Altidore is a high-profile casualty.

U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann dropped Altidore from Team USA’s squad for the knockout phase of the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup on Tuesday, U.S. Soccer announced on its website. Klinsmann also axed Greg Garza and Alfredo Morales but replced the trio with DaMarcus Beasley, Joe Corona and Alan Gordon.

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Altidore has struggled to regain his fitness and sharpness after suffering a hamstring injury in May. The U.S. striker was unable to reach his normal level before the squad-adjustment date arrived. Altidore ultimately played one-and-a-half games at the Gold Cup and failed to score or assist a goal.

Klinsmann explained the decision to replace Altidore with Gordon in an interview on USSoccer.com.

“We believe that Jozy’s just not there yet,” Klinsmann said. “Jozy never really got into this tournament and never really picked up the rhythm. He’s just simply not in the shape right now to help us. For Jozy it’s just simply going back to Toronto (his MLS club), 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. He’s fully fit, he’s so full of energy, he scores goals with the (Los Angeles) Galaxy, and he fits in right away. 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 returns to the fold, having been included in the preliminary Gold Cup roster but not in the final selection. The veteran will replace Garza at left fullback.

Morales for Corona is a midfield swap that gives Team USA more of an attacking presence in the center of the field. Morales likely wouldn’t have played ahead of Kyle Beckerman, who has delivered some standout performances as a holding midfielder at the Gold Cup.