SoccerAmerica - USA calls in Altidore for Brazil game 08/05/2010

[USA] Striker Jozy Altidore, who started all four U.S. games at the 2010 World Cup, has been added to the U.S. roster for its Aug. 10 game against Brazil, replacing German product Jermaine Jones. Uncapped Los Angeles Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez has been added, replacing Columbus Crew defender Chad Marshall.

Jones, born in Germany to an American father, had announced his intention last year to represent the USA -- he previously played for Germany -- but he was then sidelined by a shin injury. He accepted the invi ation for the Brazil game but, according to U.S. Soccer, after further discussions will remain with FC Schalke to prepare for his first competitive matches in more than a year.

Gonzalez, the 2009 MLS Rookie of the Year, was invited after Marshall withdrew from the roster.

Altidore was scoreless at the World Cup but has nine goals in 29 career games for the USA. He has returned to Villarreal after last season's loan stint with England's Hull City.

Jones, in a prepared statement, said, "I would like to thank Bob Bradley and the U.S. federation greatly for my first official invitation. It is an honor that I have been working towards for over a year, and while I initially felt like I was ready to make my first appearance, it is also extremely important to me that I am 100 percent fit for my first national team game and that I make a good impression on the manager and my teammates. I hope to receive another invitation and finally fulfill my goal of playing with the U.S. national team in the very near future."

0 comments

Kerry Ogden

commented on: August 6, 2010 at 9:08 a.m.

I'm hoping for a replacement for Bob B. There are good players out there that seem to get over looked by him. Maybe with a new coach will come new faces. I have watched Omar Gonzalez play in the last three games and he is a good player but not as good as the Rookie Tim Reams,nor as compoised on the ball as Reams, the position Omar is filling is Reams natural playing position on the NY Red Bulls. As much as I like Joze A., he also has not performed like he did several years ago, the spark seems to be gone for some reason. It would be nice to see more of the Mexican-Based, American players getting a shot to play for the US National team.

Gus Keri

commented on: August 6, 2010 at 9:31 a.m.

I heard what Alexi Lalas said yesterday about using this game to take advantage playing Brazil and to start preparing for 2014 WC by bringing a new players into the team. I disagree with him. you can't play Brazil with players that are not familiar with the national team's setting and prepare them in few days to play against one of the best teams in the world. BB was right to use his familiar team and wait until after the game to start preparing for 2014.

Charly Conlin

commented on: August 6, 2010 at 10 a.m.

OK, I understand both sides here but when do you tart intoducing new players? Next game, NO. The following game, NO. Altidore may be a nice guy, but what has he done? Size alone is nothing, why has he been on so many different teams? Other coches have seen through him and Altidore was send packing. I've said it before, "To nice Bob Bradley" needs to be replaced.

I w Nowozeniuk

commented on: August 6, 2010 at 10:29 a.m.

Saw enough of Jozy during the WC...now that he's on the roster, will Buddle/Gomez get more than 20-minutes from Bradley...prediction 4 : 1 BZL. Gus K...i understand your take on Lals's comments, but our squad at WC2010 did not have enough quality, it's time to find some for the game against Brazil.

Gus Keri

commented on: August 6, 2010 at 11:51 a.m.

Although our squad was limited in quality but at least they played with each other for the last few years. They had few good moments during the world cup that came from understanding each other. This understanding takes time to build. Bringing new players who had not played in the team before may upset this balance and may lead to a heavy defeat at the hand of the more powerful Brazilians. I also want to see new players being brought in and improve the quality of the team. This should start in the next game whoever our opponent is. But, please, not against the Brazilians. I believe the current WC team is better than any team that just started playing together few days before the game. Let it be the swan song for BB and the current squad and start anew with new manager in the next game.

David Huff

commented on: August 6, 2010 at 12:55 p.m.

First of all, I'm not sure why this game is even being played coming so soon after the WC. But it is what it is so we should take advantage of it as chance to experiment with other players being put into the mix. The result is probably a foregone conclusion that we will lose but who really cares, it is a friendly with nothing at stake. However, with the thought of Banal BB continuing to coach after not getting the hints that he should be gone is just too much. I for one will not watch this or any other games with the USMNT where he continues to be the coach, it is a futile and wasted use of time.

Ric Fonseca

commented on: August 6, 2010 at 1 p.m.

Gus K, your comments are well taken, however, it is one thing to bring in players that "worked" the WC squad, and another to bring them in only days before a "major-yet-friendly" match. This is sheer lunacy and harks back when US soccer would begin to prepare the MNT for major matches, only days out before the game. I agree with I w that it remains to be seen if Buddle and Gomez get lengthy and quality playing time. But where is Torres and why is Klejstan in? And yes, let us hope that this coming game is BB's swan song... tho' it is a HIGH possibility that he might just end up as the new HC for DC United? Onalfo's dismissal and this coming game possibly being BB's last game.... well, the timing is curious!

David Huff

commented on: August 6, 2010 at 1:34 p.m.

Ric, I hope you are right about Banal/MLS BB's imminent departure, it means that I will only have to miss one USMNT game.

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