USMNT names Jozy Altidore captain for Friday's match vs. Colombia
Forward Jozy Altidore will captain the United States men's national team on Friday in its friendly match against Colombia in London, head coach Jurgen Klinsmann announced on Thursday.
Altidore, 25, has captained the team in two of its last three friendlies. Captain Clint Dempsey is not with the team and neither are his usual replacements, Tim Howard and Michael Bradley.
Altidore, who plays his club soccer for Sunderland in the Premier League, has made 74 career appearances with the national team, the second-most of any player on this roster behind defender DeMarcus Beasley's 120 caps.
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Since losing in the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the national team has defeated the Czech Republic and tied Ecuador and Honduras in friendly matches.
Friday's match at Craven Cottage will pit the United States against World Cup Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez, who scored six goals in the tournament. Rodriguez, who plays for Real Madrid, led Colombia to the quarterfinals of the World Cup before they lost to Brazil. Coach José Pékerman's squad is the No. 3 team in the FIFA World Rankings behind Germany and Argentina.
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The United States and Colombia will play Friday at 2:45 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Americans will play their final game of the year on Tuesday at 2:45 p.m. ET against Ireland at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
- Paul Palladino
