Dempsey, Johannsson Start Up Top For US Against Cuba
BALTIMORE (AP) -- U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann has made three changes to his starting lineup for the Gold Cup quarterfinal against Cuba, starting Omar Gonzalez for suspended defender John Brooks, and Clint Dempsey and Aron Johannsson in place of Chris Wondolowski and Alfredo Morales.
Brad Guzan started his eighth straight game in goal Saturday, with Timmy Chandler at right back, Gonzalez and Ventura Alvarado in central defense and Fabian Johnson at left back. Kyle Beckerman was in defensive midfield for the 4-4-2 diamond formation, with Gyasi Zardes on the right, Alejandro Bedoya on the left and Michael Bradley at the top. Dempsey and Johannsson were the forwards.
Cuba, which has a history of defections at sporting events, listed five players as absent on the lineup sheet: goalkeeper Arael Arguellez, midfielders Dario Suarez, Aricheel Hernandez and Ariel Martinez; and forward Keiler Garcia.
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