Jozy Altidore was part of a U.S. roster shakeup on Tuesday ahead of Saturday's CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal match on Saturday in Baltimore.
Coach Jurgen Klinsmann shuffled the roster after the team's 1-1 draw on Monday night with Panama, adding DeMarcus Beasley, Joe Corona and Alan Gordon for the knockout rounds. The three will replace Altidore, Alfredo Morales and Greg Garza.
Beasley retired from international competition last year but continued to play for the Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer this season. The 33-year-old's 121 international appearances are the fifth most in U.S. history.
"Having DaMarcus come into the team is huge because of his character, his giving nature, the spirit he brings, but also the high quality he brings," Klinsmann said. "He brings a lot of experience into this group, and he's hungry. He's still as hungry as day one in his career. That speaks for us having him back in the group and now it gives us a couple of different options on how to put pieces together. We're very happy to have Beas back."
A hamstring injury limited Altidore's effectiveness during two starts in the group stage before he sat out Monday night's game. The U.S. team posted a 2-0-1 record to win Group A with seven points.
"We believe that Jozy's just not there yet," Klinsmann said. "Jozy never really got into this tournament and never really picked up the rhythm. He's just simply not in the shape right now to help us.
"For Jozy, it's just simply going back to Toronto (with his MLS team), picking up his rhythm, getting in shape, working on his fitness and then he will start scoring goals again."
"That's why Alan Gordon was on the standby roster from the beginning and that's why we brought him in. He's fully fit, he's so full of energy, he scores goals with the Galaxy and he fits in right away. He's a pure giver to the group, and he might be a player that can make a difference at any second when you bring him in."
Gordon has four goals in MLS action this season with the Los Angeles Galaxy and scored the winner in an international friendly on Saturday night.
Altidore wished his teammates well on Twitter.
"Always a pleasure to be a part of @ussoccer all the best to the boys the rest of the way! #KeepTheCup #USMNT"
