Hamstring injuries to Timothy Chandler and José Francisco Torres and Landon Donovan's bout of bronchitis have forced the American trio to withdraw from Wednesday's friendly tilt between the US and Italy in Genoa. Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has decided to call on Brek Shea and Sacha Kljestan to help fill the voids.
Chandler, who suffered his injury in Nurnberg's 1-0 win vs. Werder Bremen on Saturday, is ruled out for two weeks. Torres also picked up his injury on Saturday as Pachuca drew Tigres UANL 1-1.
Donovan, on the other hand, has been fighting his illness for a few days. The LA Galaxy midfielder missed the last match of his Everton loan stint due to the illness and has yet to train with the Galaxy despite arriving in the US a week ago.
“We hope by the end of next week he’s feeling better so he’s ready to play in Canada and for our home opener,” LA head coach Bruce Arena told reporters after the team's Desert Diamond Cup win over Real Salt Lake in Tucson, Ariz., on Saturday.
According to a press release from US Soccer, further additions may be announced on Monday.
Shea has currently been spending time with the US U-23 squad as they prepare for the upcoming CONCACAF Olympic qualifiers, which begins on March 22.
The call to the senior side means that Shea, who has scored a goal in each of the US U-23s last two outings, against FC Dallas and the San Antonio Scorpions, could make a 10th straight appearance under Klinsmann. It also means Shea will miss the U-23s' match against their Mexican counterparts, which is also slated for Wednesday.
Kljestan, meanwhile, could run his US caps to 35 against the Azzurri. The Anderlecht central midfielder will be making his first appearance since donning the red, white and blue in a losing effort against Costa Rica in September 2011.
Kickoff against Italy is set for 2:30 pm ET and will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPN3 and in Spanish on Galavisión.
Updated US Roster:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (6): Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjaelland), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim)
FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Brek Shea (FC Dallas)
