TORONTO – The cavalry is arriving for the United States national team at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney confirmed that captain Michael Bradley and forward Jozy Altidore have been recalled by U.S. manager Bruce Arena and that the pair will remain with the American side for as long as it progresses through the tournament.
Under Gold Cup rules, teams that qualify for the quarter-finals are allowed to make six roster changes at the completion of the group stage. The U.S. team is expected to make a formal announcement on Sunday about Bradley and Altidore being recalled.
Bradley and Altidore being called up by the U.S. side means they won’t be available for TFC’s road game next Wednesday against New York City. If the U.S. wins its quarter-final match (against an opponent to be determined) on July 19 in Philadelphia, Bradley and Altidore will also miss the Reds’ home game against the Colorado Rapids on July 22.
TFC defender Justin Morrow is already with the U.S. team at the Gold Cup. Canada is through to the quarter-finals of the tournament, and TFC’s Tosaint Ricketts, Raheem Edwards and Jonathan Osorio are expected to remain with the national team, which means they too will miss the NYCFC match.
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With Panama through to the quarter-finals, Toronto could also be without winger Armando Cooper for the trip to Yankee Stadium.
With the current injury to Steven Beitashour, and taking into account all the possible national team absences, TFC could potentially be without eight players, including four starters, when they take on NYCFC.
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