U.S. Star Altidore To Miss World Cup Match Against Portugal
SAO PAULO (CBSNewYork/AP) — U.S. forward Jozy Altidore will miss Sunday's World Cup game against Portugal because of his strained left hamstring.
Altidore was hurt in the 21st minute of Monday's 2-1 win over Ghana.
"It's bad news, but I think the team will handle this," midfielder Jermaine Jones said Thursday. "We have to handle that."
U.S. team spokesman Michael Kammarman did not reveal the severity of the strain but said Thursday the Americans were hopeful Altidore can return at some point during the tournament. The U.S. completes the first round against three-time champion Germany on June 26.
"We're extremely bummed for him and the team, but we bring 23 players and so this is just a chance for somebody to step up," midfielder Kyle Beckerman said.
Aron Johannsson replaced Altidore for the second half against Ghana. Chris Wondolowski is the other striker in the squad who could join Clint Dempsey in the attack.
"I would say there's a lot of similarities," Beckerman said. "They both help the team in offense, defense. They do a lot of stuff that's not on the stat sheet. They're both tricky with the ball, and they both have a nose for goal."
Johannsson, a 23-year-old who was born in Mobile, Alabama, and grew up in Iceland, scored 26 goals last season for AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands. Wondolowski, a 31-year-old Californian, led Major League Soccer with 18 regular-season goals in 2010 and 27 in 2012, and tied for lead with 16 in 2011.
"Wondo is more the finisher in the box," Jones said. "Aron is more maybe the guy who's good with the ball and tries to go one against one."
Dempsey has not decided whether he will wear a mask to protect his nose, which was broken during the Ghana game by John Boye's shin to his face during a battle for a header in the 31st minute.
Defender Matt Besler, who left the Ghana match at halftime because of a sore right hamstring, should be available for Sunday's game in Manaus, Kammarman said.
Meanwhile, Portugal is expected to have star Cristiano Ronaldo available despite an ailing left knee.
"Cristiano is 100 percent fit to play. Every match, if he starts to play, it is because he is fit to play, he's ready to play," teammate Beto said Wednesday. "He loves football but his body is the most important thing for him … so if he starts a match he is ready, he is fit, so I don't think that is a problem."
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