clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Jozy Altidore to captain the USMNT against the Czech Republic

Jozy Altidore was the obvious pick to wear the armband.

By Ryan Rosenblatt
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Clint Dempsey is the United States captain, but he isn't on the team for Wednesday's friendly against the Czech Republic so who will wear the armband? Jozy Altidore.

It wasn't a hard choice for Jurgen Klinsmann, considering the options. The most likely people to take the armband after Dempsey are Michael Bradley, DaMarcus Beasley and Tim Howard, but Bradley and Beasley also aren't on the team, while Howard is taking a year-long break from the squad. That leaves Altidore.

It's easy to forget that the striker is only 24 years old. He made his national team debut seven years ago, has racked up 71 caps and was the team's clear cut starter in two World Cups. The experience is there, and it really stands out when looking at the rest of the team set to play the Czechs.

After Altidore, Alejandro Bedoya has the most caps on the U.S. team, with a measly 32. Klinsmann had to give someone the armband, and Altidore wasn't just the obvious choice, he was really the only chouce.

More From Stars and Stripes FC