The Sunderland striker is currently nursing a hamstring injury.
USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann reportedly wants injured striker Jozy Altidore to play in the World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica.
Altidore’s availability for the match at the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica was questionable after he sat out of Sunderland’s defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday after damaging his hamstring, but he has still travelled with Team USA and will be assessed by medical staff.
Joseph Goodman, a journalist for the Miami Herald, tweeted on Monday claiming that Klinsmann wants the 23-year-old to fulfil his international commitments by taking to the field on Friday and firing his country to victory.
USMNT coach Jürgen Klinsmann says he expects forward Jozy Altidore (hamstring) to play on Friday in Costa Rica.
— Joseph Goodman (@JoeGoodmanJr) September 2, 2013
Altidore has scored in his last five matches with the national team and it’s understandable that Klinsmann wants his main attacking threat to play in a crucial match that could propel the USMNT side closer to qualification for Brazil 2014.
The German legend has other options at his disposal, most notably LA Galaxy forward Landon Donovan who racked up seven goals and had seven assists in seven matches for the U.S. “B” team in July.
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