The U.S. Men’s National Team will be without a veteran midfielder for this Friday’s friendly against Cuba.
U.S. Soccer announced on Monday that Alejandro Bedoya has withdrawn from the USMNT squad ahead of the upcoming friendly. The Philadelphia Union midfielder suffered a strained rib muscle over the weekend, knocking him out in the 52nd minute of the Philadelphia Union’s 3-2 loss to the New York Red Bulls.
Bedoya has appeared in 11 of the USMNT’s past 13 matches, including starts in eight of the last nine. With his absence, the U.S. currently has 22 players on the roster, including central midfielders Michael Bradley, Perry Kitchen, Danny Williams, Lynden Gooch and Sacha Kljestan, as well as wide options in Christian Pulisic and Paul Arriola.
The U.S. is set to visit Cuba on Friday before returning to Washington, D.C. for a friendly against New Zealand four days later.
Here’s a closer look at the USMNT roster as it stands:
GOALKEEPERS: David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Ethan Horvath (Molde FK), William Yarbrough (Club Leon)
DEFENDERS: Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Moenchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle)
MIDFIELDERS: Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Lynden Gooch (Sunderland), Perry Kitchen (Hearts), Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund), Danny Williams (Reading)
FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Bobby Wood (Hamburg SV)
Paging “Gringo” Torres … Please pick up the Red, White and Blue phone.
Bring in villafana and move Fabian to wing.
Incoming Zusi call up and start lol.
Is Zusi even starting for SKC still?
He didnt start on Sat and when he did come in… the Revs scored shortly after. In fact +2 with him on the field
Opens up the starting XI for a bit more experimentation.
1) Chandler starts at LB pushing Fabian to RM
2) Arriola gets the start at RM
3) Gooch gets the start at LM shifting Pulisic to RM
4) Gooch gets the start at RM
I haven’t seen enough of his matches, but doesn’t Gooch typically play centrally?
Generally starts out wide and then switches inside as the match progresses, but I haven’t seen much either.
He’s very similar to Bedoya in that he’s a CM who is often played wide. From what I’ve seen of him this season he’s a fairly technical player with good speed, a huge motor and who can play gritty. One of his best traits (IMO) is he plays with a chip on his shoulder and doesn’t back down from anyone/anything. He’s still raw, but with a bit more experience would be a step up from Bedoya/Zusi.
When Zardes returns should be interesting to see how a 4 man midfield of Pulisic, Gooch, Zardes & Bradley (sitting deep) would perform.
No big loss. We know what we have in Bedoya, better to get a look at someone new.
Every single USMNT player that moves to the MLS gets injured within weeks of joining. This is a problem.
There’s a long list of American’s that became injured once they arrived in Europe, too.
Is anyone disheartened by this news?
No, I don’t think so. I’m fine with Bedoya and appreciate what he can contribute, but his absence means more playing time for CP and other youngsters like Gooch in the midfield.
I for one am glad… totally overrated and I want to see others in this game. And what is with Wondo again? OMG what a waste
Eric Wynalda @EricWynalda 54 seconds ago
Hearing @AleBedoya17 is out. My only answer to that now he has time to focus on hair – there are many that like the style – I believe there are better hair styles out there
lol.. cat fight!
ok that’s hilarious.