USA releases Brad Evans, Michael Orozco ahead of Canada friendly
The U.S. men's national team will be without two defenders as it prepares to face Canada in Friday's friendly that will end its annual winter training camp.
Brad Evans and Michael Orozco have been released to their teams, taking two of Jurgen Klinsmann's starters from Sunday's 3-2 win over Iceland. Orozco was always going to be unavailable for the Canada game, as he was called up late in camp from Club Tijuana solely for the Iceland matchup. Evans experienced tightness in his hamstring, according to U.S. Soccer, and was released to the Seattle Sounders as a precaution.
Orozco had an eventful game against Iceland, having the visitors' opening goal deflect off him. He also scored an equalizer for the U.S. to level the game at 2-2. Evans started at right back. With both players options at right back, it leaves Klinsmann with a choice to make at the position. FC Dallas's versatile Kellyn Acosta, who started at left back against Iceland, could shift across the field. Untested players Eric Miller and Matt Polster are other right-sided options at the position.
The U.S. roster as a whole is down to 24 players to face Canada:
GOALKEEPERS: David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls)
DEFENDERS: Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), Eric Miller (Montreal Impact), Tim Parker (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Matt Polster (Chicago Fire), Brandon Vincent (Chicago Fire)
MIDFIELDERS: Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Jermaine Jones (Unattached), Perry Kitchen (Unattached), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution), Tony Tchani (Columbus Crew SC), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC)
FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Ethan Finlay (Columbus Crew SC), Jerome Kiesewetter (VfB Stuttgart), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC), Khiry Shelton (New York City FC), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
