Beckerman, Zusi, Wondolowski start for US vs Argentina
HOUSTON (AP) - Midfielders Kyle Beckerman and Graham Zusi were inserted in the U.S. lineup along with forward Chris Wondolowski for Tuesday night's Copa America semifinal against top-ranked Argentina.
U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann was forced to make changes because of the suspensions of midfielders Jermaine Jones and Alejandro Bedoya, and forward Bobby Wood. Jones got a red card in the quarterfinal win over Ecuador, and Bedoya and Wood received their second yellow cards of the tournament.
Right back DeAndre Yedlin returned to the lineup after serving a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation.
Brad Guzan was in goal, with Yedlin at right back, Geoff Cameron and John Brooks in central defense and Fabian Johnson returning to left back after switching sides of a match because of Yedlin's absence.
Beckerman replaced Jones in the midfield of a 4-4-2 formation, and Zusi took over for Bedoya, joining captain Michael Bradley and Gysasi Zardes. Wondolowski was paired with Clint Dempsey in the attack.
Argentina coach Gerardo Martino made one change, starting forward Ezequiel Lavezzi in place of Nicolas Gaitan. Sergio Romero was in goal, with Gabriel Mercado at right back, Nicolas Otamendi and Ramiro Funes Mori in central defense, and Marcos Rojo at left back.
Javier Mascherano was in a defensive role in a midfield that included Augusto Fernandez and Ever Banega. Five-time FIFA Player of the Year Lionel Messi headed an attack that included Gonzolo Higuian and Lavezzi.