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Michael Bradley to miss Peru friendly, Jozy Altidore called up

Toronto FC requested to keep both

Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The full roster for the upcoming United States friendlies against Peru and Brazil will be announced on August 30, but we now know the fates of two regulars. Michael Bradley will miss the first friendly against Peru (September 4) to play for Toronto FC against the Seattle Sounders the day after. It's still possible that he'll be available for the Brazil match, but it hasn't been confirmed.

On the other hand, Jozy Altidore has not been allowed to stay with TFC. He's been called up for both USMNT friendlies.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bradley staying with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TFC?src=hash">#TFC</a> and wiull miss Peru game, but source tells me Alitdore will be called in for both <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USMNT?src=hash">#USMNT</a> games.</p>&mdash; John Molinaro (@JohnMolinaro) <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnMolinaro/status/637272673106591744">August 28, 2015</a></blockquote>

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Last week TFC asked U.S. Soccer to allow both players to skip the Peru friendly for their crucial match against Seattle. Being as the Peru match falls on a FIFA international date, the federation is under no obligation to do so.

The decision to allow one to stay but not the other is an odd one. Arguably Bradley is much more important to the national team than Altidore. Perhaps the reasoning behind this is that the striker's current standing with the USMNT is very much up-in-the-air, while Bradley's is solidified.

Jurgen Klinsmann could possibly want a firsthand look at Altidore to decide where his fitness and form levels are. If he's still struggling with both like he was at the Gold Cup his position on the roster for the vital Confederations Cup playoff against Mexico (October 10) is in real jeopardy. Jozy was sent home early from the Gold Cup after struggling and being rendered ineffective.

While Bradley missing the Peru match will hurt the national team in the short term, it shouldn't affect the player's standing with the team. He was named captain before the Gold Cup and is a vital part of Klinsmann's plans.

We now know two names who will and won't be apart of these two friendlies. Now we wait for the roster to be completed on Sunday.