CHICAGO (AP) — Jozy Altidore has been cleared to resume practice, and U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann says he’s optimistic his striker will be ready for Friday’s World Cup qualifier in Costa Rica.
Altidore missed Saturday’s game for club team Sunderland because of a right hamstring injury. He still traveled to join the Americans in Miami, and U.S. Soccer announced Tuesday that doctors had cleared him after a full evaluation. An MRI showed the hamstring was normal.
Having Altidore would be a boost for the Americans, who have yet to win a World Cup qualifier in Costa Rica. Altidore has scored in five straight games, a U.S. record, with a total of seven goals.
After Friday’s game in Costa Rica, the U.S. returns home to face Mexico on Sept. 10 in Columbus, Ohio.
