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Injuries kept Brek Shea from playing in World Cup qualifiers and from being named to the initial Gold Cup roster, but he's been added to Jurgen Klinsmann's team to replace the injured Josh Gatt. Shea proved his fitness on Friday night in a friendly against Guatemala and should get a chance to prove that he belongs in the main United States squad.
Steve Goff broke the news on Saturday.
Brek Shea named to USA Gold Cup roster, replacing Josh Gatt (Knee injury) #usmnt
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) July 7, 2013
It's a bit of a curious move considering Shea's current club situation. He didn't get many chances to play for Stoke after making his move in January, both because of fitness and players ahead of him in the pecking order. Stoke recently hired a new manager, Mark Hughes, and it might be more beneficial for Shea to spend an entire preseason with his new boss than it is to play in Gold Cup matches.
He should be a big help in the competition regardless, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him get some starts after Edgar Castillo and Joe Corona failed to impress against Guatemala.
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