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Altidore out for remainder of Gold Cup

Altidore (Getty Images)

U.S. national team striker Jozy Altidore has been ruled out for the remainder of the Gold Cup with a left hamstring strain.

After undergoing an MRI on Tuesday in Houston, the test confirmed the strain, and he has been ruled out of action for the next 4-to-6 weeks.

Altidore suffered the injury running for a ball over the top in the ninth minute of the United States' 2-0 victory over Jamaica. He pulled up lame while going for the pass and had to be subbed off in the 12th minute. Juan Agudelo replaced him in the match and figures to start in his place Wednesday night against Panama. Agudelo and Chris Wondolowski are the only true strikers on the U.S. roster.

Altidore's two goals are tied for the most on the team during the Gold Cup. Clint Dempsey has also scored twice. The United States is not permitted an injury replacement, because Altidore was hurt during the competition, according to U.S. Soccer.

What do you think of this development? Who do you think should start up top? Do you think Agudelo and Wondolowski can get the job done?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Jozy stinks, he is lazy, not technical, and for being very athletic still struggles to impact most games the way he should. He is also very poor at reading the game. Great goal vs guadalope no doubt, canada was rather lucky imo. it makes me wonder what type of pro he is bc he can easily change his work ethic, then i figure he just cant read the game well enough to work hard in it. he has always relied to heavily on his athletic abilities and not his soccer abilities there for I think what you see is what you get

    TURRRRRD BRADLEY!!!! did you see my son michael? god what a player. talk about speed of play !!!!

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  2. This is a really ignorant comment, with no appreciation for context. Agudelo is 19 and comes off the bench for NY, which has a very strong pair of starting strikers (13 goals between them already this season – more than any other combo in the league). One of his goals was absolutely brilliant – probably one of the top 5 in MLS this year. He’d start for most teams in the league. He’s got a ton of talent. He can absolutely start for the US.

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  3. Yup, we’re heading to a 4-6-0. With that formation above, if instead of putting Demps up top, you played him as a trequartista, there you go.

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  4. tuff break.. the only Forward that i would start vs. Panama or Mexico is Demps. if only concacaf would allow alternates that could be called in.. Bunbury, Gomez, Buddle anyone..

    ——-Dempsey——-
    Donovan-Kljestian-Bedoya-
    —-Jones—-Bradley—-

    ——————–

    ——-Dempsey——–
    Donovan-Bradley-Bedoya-
    —Jones——Edu——

    we all knew at some point we would be playing a 6 man midfield!

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  5. Anyone who thinks Altidore won’t be missed is delusional.

    That said, people have given up on Wondo way too easily, I hope he gets at least one more chance in the next game or two.
    Between Dempsey, Agudelo, and Wondo, I have faith that our forwards can still get it done.

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  6. bobbo, has made comments to the effect that he needs to get better at the “team game” which implies the head down go at two defenders thing. imho, he’ll put it together.

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  7. Tough to play 4-4-2 w/ Adu in hole behind Agudelo who’s not a target forward. That would make us very small, indeed.

    Best hope is 4-5-1 or 4-2-3-1 as we played against Jamaica. Have to make sure the 3 (Deuce, Lando or Bedoya, Sacha) play close support to Agudelo and don’t strand him up top. I wouldn’t mind seeing Freddie in for Sacha, but I doubt he’d get a run this late with no previous field time.

    No real interest in running Wondo out there at this point. Tough to trust his finishing right now.

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