Benny Feilaber's loss is Alejandro Bedoya's gain. Feilhaber injured his ankle in his New England Revolution's 1-0 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday and when he was spotted after the match in a boot with crutches it was widely speculated that the midfielder would not be able to play for the United States in next month's CONCACAF Gold Cup. That speculation became truth on Sunday when the sporting director of Bedoya's club, Orebro in Swden, confirmed that U.S. head coach Bob Bradley called up Bedoya to replaced the injured Feilhaber.
Alejandro Bedoya To Replace Injured Benny Feilhaber On United States Gold Cup Roster
Most expected Bedoya to be on the 23-man roster when it was announced on Monday, but he was left off in one of several roster surprises. It took only six days for him to find his way onto the team though, although it does come at Feilhaber’s expense.
Bedoya will be expected to give the Americans some width in the attack during the tournament. The team's only other true winger is the much-maligned Robbie Rogers so Bedoya could find a home as an attacking substitute late on in matches. What will be tough for Bradley is to replace what Feilhaber brought to the team. He spent much of the last two years as the first substitute in the match on the left side of the midfield where he would pinch inside and provide the U.S. with the type of passing and possession they sometimes lack.
The U.S. will open their Gold Cup on June 7 against Canada in Detroit, MI. The Americans are favorites, along with Mexico, to reach the tournament final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA on June 25.
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