In a surprising move on Monday, U.S. soccer coach Jurgen Klinsmann dropped striker Jozy Altidore from the team roster for two crucial World Cup qualifying matches next week.
The coach kept Landon Donovan, even though he recently suffered an injury, and also added Seattle's Eddie Johnson and San Jose's Alan Gordon along with Herculez Gomez to play as forwards for the U.S team.
The squad will face off against Antigua and Barbuda on Friday night and will play at home against Guatemala on Oct. 16.
According to ESPN.com, The U.S. is looking to make its seventh straight World Cup and sits with a 2-1-1 record in qualifying. The team is tied with Jamaica and Guatemala with seven points.
The move is a surprising one, but Klinsmann cited weak play and performance issues with Altidore.
"I communicated with Jozy that I was not happy about his latest performances with us, maybe even over the last 14 months," Klinsmann said to the Associated Press. "I think Jozy can do much, much better, and the reason why he's not coming in is mainly about the performances in Jamaica and at home, also in training. Also certain things that went on through the May-June camp."
The 22-year old Altidore is having his best season professionally while playing for AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands, but has had poor performances in the past two games for the U.S. This season, Altidore has nine goals in ten games for his team, leading the pro league.
"Obviously, I'm disappointed in the decision," Altidore said through the U.S. Soccer Federation. "At the same time, I fully support the team in their efforts to get six points from the next two games so we can advance to the final round. My goal continues to be to do everything I can to help the team be successful."
Altidore made the national team in 2007 for the first time and has played in 17 straight qualifying matches.
"This is a decision as of today, for these two games, so the door is always open," Klinsmann said. "We hope to see a positive reaction from his end and put more effort and more commitment into this whole approach."
He scored his last goal in November against Slovenia and didn't factor in the scoring in two games against Jamaica last month.
"I wasn't on the same page as the guys, and that's my fault," Altidore said to ESPN.com. "I have to get on the same page and understand that we had the lead, and that we kind of had to kill the clock. If we can look for a second goal on the counter, good, but if not, keep the ball and make them work a little bit."
There seems to be a disconnect between Klinsmann and Altidore that extends beyond his play on the field. He also missed time with the team in May and early summer, eventually losing his starting spot to Gomez.
According to ESPN.com, Altidore posted a tweet in September, which since has been removed: "Love when people try to blame others for their own short comings and incompetence."
He later said: "The tweet people are referring to had nothing to do with Jurgen," Altidore said. "When I realized there may be some confusion, I deleted it."
Klinsmann said that Altidore has the chance to return in the future.
"This is a decision as of today, for these two games, so the door is always open," Klinsmann said. "We hope to see a positive reaction from his end and put more effort and more commitment into this whole approach."
Altidore spoke with Sports Illustrated writer Grant Wahl last week about the upcoming international games.
"First off, I just hope people will actually realize that I don't try to go to the national team and not play well," Altidore said to Wahl. "I've represented the country in so many games on the biggest stages. Of course, my intention is to do all I can to help the team win. It's a challenge. It's a different role and not an every-day environment, so the challenge is adjusting to that and still finding a way to be effective. Good players do that, and I want to become that."
Klinsmann mentioned that the injury to Donovan was not serious and that he was expected to play in both games.
"(It) looks very positive," Klinsmann said.
The full roster includes:
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Tim Howard (Everton, England), Nick Rimando (Salt Lake).
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Racing Santander, Spain), Geoff Cameron (Stoke, England), Edgar Castillo (Tijuana, Mexico), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany),Maurice Edu (Stoke, England), Clarence Goodson (Brondby, Denmark), Fabian Johnson(Hoffenheim, Germany), Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland, Denmark).
Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Roma, Italy), Joe Corona (Tijuana, Mexico), Jermaine Jones (Schalke, Germany), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht, Belgium), Brek Shea (Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim, Germany), Graham Zusi(Kansas City).
Forwards: Clint Dempsey (Tottenham, England), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles), Herculez Gomez (Santos Laguna, Mexico), Alan Gordon (San Jose), Eddie Johnson (Seattle)
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