U.S. Coach Bruce Arena almost made it to the start of the CONCACAF Gold Cup without an injury issue. Alas, newcomer Kenny Saief suffered a groin injury, prompting Arena to summon Philadelphia Union attacker Chris Pontius from the 40-man preliminary roster.
Pontius (two caps) will report to the national team following the Union’s MLS match Thursday against Sporting Kansas City. He has recorded six assists this season.
Saief, a left-sided attacker from Belgian club Gent, was in his first U.S. camp after FIFA approved his application for a one-time switch to the U.