US pin hopes on rising star Pulisic
Los Angeles, Aug. 28: Bundesliga-based star Christian Pulisic features again in coach Bruce Arena’s squad for the United States’ upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Honduras.
The 18-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder has been impressive in international duty with five goals in nine World Cup qualifying matches. He scored a goal in the 60 victory over Honduras on March 24 and set up Clint Dempsey’s goal in a 1-1 draw at Panama four days later. He and Dempsey key an attack that also includes Jozy Altidore and Jordan Morris — hero of the United States’ 2-1 win over Jamaica in the Gold Cup final in July. US captain Michael Bradley is back after a summer that saw him score against Mexico and win the Golden Ball at the Gold Cup. In all, the squad includes 26 players who have seen international duty already this year. The United States play Costa Rica on Friday, in a rematch of the Gold Cup semi-final, in Harrison, N e w Jersey.
Zouma repalce Varane for France Paris: Kurt Zouma has been called up to the France squad in place of the injured Raphael Varane for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against the Netherlands and Luxembourg, the French Football Federation announced on Sunday.
Real Madrid centreback Varane’s withdrawal due to an adductor injury was confirmed by his club coach Zinedine Zidane on Saturday.
Zouma, 22, has been capped twice in 2015. The Chelsea stopper has been loaned to Stoke City for the season.
Loew rests recovered Neuer Berlin: Germany head coach Joachim Loew said he is not prepared to risk captain Manuel Neuer for their World Cup qualifiers despite grumblings from the goalkeeper, who is back after injury.
Neuer was unhappy about being omitted when Loew named his squad for the Russia 2018 qualifiers against the Czech Republic in Prague on Friday and Norway four days later in Stuttgart.
“It would have been nice to be there and it wasn’t my decision,” complained Neuer at the weekend.
However, the 31-year-old world-class goalkeeper admits it was a “logical decision” having only returned for Bayern Munich on Saturday after fracturing his foot in April.
Like Neuer’s club teammate Jerome Boateng, who is working on his fitness after a thigh injury, Loew says it is not worth risking Neuer.