The U.S. World Cup team charter flight resembled a MASH unit Monday night after the Americans’ stirring 2-1 victory over Ghana in Natal.
The U.S. World Cup team charter flight resembled a MASH unit Monday night after the Americans’ stirring 2-1 victory over Ghana in Natal.
Forward Jozy Altidore had a considerable limp after going down with a strained left hamstring, and he told reporters as he left the stadium that he was “crushed” at the thought that his World Cup could be over. He was in tears, with his hands over his face, as he was carried off the field on a stretcher.
Barring a miraculous recovery, he will likely miss Sunday’s game against Portugal in Manaus.
Defender Matt Besler walked gingerly after tweaking his right hamstring. Alejandro Bedoya was sore after cramping up and aggravating a nagging hip pointer. And captain Clint Dempsey, who ignited his team with one of the quickest goals in tournament history, had trouble breathing through his broken nose.
Altidore and Besler underwent MRI exams at a Sao Paulo hospital Tuesday to determine the extent of their injuries. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann said early reports were that Besler would be “no problem, fine,” and Besler is expected back for Sunday’s game against Portugal in Manaus.
Altidore’s situation appears more serious. He is doubtful for Sunday, but Klinsmann is “full of hope” the powerful striker will recover in time to play during the tournament.
“We have to see how he reacts in the next couple of days, and we are full of hope that he comes back still in this tournament, and that’s what we are going to work on every day,” Klinsmann said. “The medical staff has done a tremendous job.”
Altidore’s teammates rallied around him.
“Your heart goes out to him because he’s been working so hard, he’s been looking so sharp,” Dempsey said of Altidore, his partner in the U.S. attack. “To have that happen to him, he’s a big part of our team. Hopefully, he’ll recover soon.”
Dempsey might or might not wear a protective mask over his nose, but Klinsmann said his play Sunday should not be affected by the broken nose. He shrugged off nose injuries as part of the game.
“Clint has to shake it off,” Klinsmann said. “I broke mine three or four times, and it’s all right. We’ll give him a few days. Unfortunately, it’s part of our game, but he’s going to be all right.”
If Altidore can’t play Sunday, Klinsmann said he will find “solutions.” Aron Johannsson replaced Altidore on Monday. Terrance Boyd and Chris Wondolowski are other options up front.
Like any wily coach, Klinsmann would not offer specifics.
“I don’t want to go too deep into details, because obviously we want Portugal to guess a little bit,” he said. “But when one of your key players is not available, does it change certain things? Absolutely it does. Jozy is a very strong key player in our group, so we’ll think about the right way to handle that situation.”