Philadelphia Union midfielder Chris Pontius will join the U.S. national team for the Gold Cup this month after receiving a call-up from head coach Bruce Arena on Wednesday.
Pontius will travel to Kansas City for the team’s game Thursday (8:30 p.m., The Comcast Network), then will join the American ranks for the Gold Cup’s group stage. The U.S. team’s first game will be Saturday against Panama in Nashville (4:30 p.m., Fox and Univision).
He replaces midfielder Kenny Saeif, who withdrew because of a groin injury. A spokesman said the injury has been bothering Saeif, and became worse in the wake of Saturday’s game against Ghana in which he made his national-team debut.