FRISCO, Texas – When Toronto FC’s Jozy Altidore was lost for the entirety of the Copa America Centenario to yet another hamstring injury, the conversation turned to who could start in his stead at striker for the USMNT this summer.
“It’s a bummer Jozy’s out because he’s a very talented striker. I look up to him,” said LA Galaxy forward Gyasi Zardes, who is one of the players on the list of potential replacements for Altidore.
Zardes has already scored four goals in 11 appearances this year for the LA Galaxy after only scoring six goals in 29 appearances in 2015. His resurgence can be at least partially attributed to his move back to forward after playing the majority of 2015 on the wing, where he tends to feature for the USMNT.
The Hawthorne, Calif. native's best season came as a forward in 2014 when he scored 16 goals on just 74 shots. He appears to have rediscovered that ruthless efficiency in front of goal so far in 2016, scoring four goals on just 16 shots.
It won’t be easy to replace Altidore’s production – after all, he is tied for third on the all-time USMNT scoring list – but Gyasi is confident that the group of forwards in camp can rise to the challenge.
“There are a couple of guys here, as well as myself, Bobby Wood, Wondo [Chris Wondolowski] … We definitely can do the job and step it up,” Zardes said before training on Tuesday.
With Zardes, Wondolowski and Wood, head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has three forwards at his disposal with different skill sets. Wondolowski plays the role of the goal poacher, making timely runs in and around the six-yard box. Bobby Wood relies more on his power, speed and an ability to get in behind the defense.
In Zardes, who has three goals in 23 career USMNT appearances, Klinsmann has another speedy player who creates space and chances for his teammates with strong runs in the attack. And it doesn’t hurt that Zardes has a reputation for putting in honest defensive work when the USA is not in possession.
“I feel good getting called into this camp,” said Zardes, “And I'm looking forward to everything to come.”
That next thing is Wednesday night’s Copa America tuneup match against Ecuador at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Tex. (8 pm ET, ESPN2, UniMás, UDN).
