The United States Mens National Team (USMNT) defied the odds making it out of the Group of Death (Group G) and on to the Round of 16 aka the Knockout Round. Surprisingly they did it without star striker Jozy Altidore who went down with a hamstring strain during the opening World Cup match against Ghana. Next up the US will face a tough Belgium team and they’re expecting to have Altidore back.
via Sports Illustrated:
The first sight that greeted the media when we arrived at U.S. training here after a long flight from Recife on Friday was Jozy Altidore jogging around the perimeter of the practice field at São Paulo FC. Ordinarily this wouldn’t be a big deal, but the fact he was doing it (and without limping) suggested Altidore might be ready.
“We are very optimistic,” said U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann on Friday. “Every day is a big step forward with Jozy. It’s 11 days now [since the injury], and it’s looking better every day, so we are optimistic we have him being a part of the Belgium game.”
