Alejandro Bedoya won't be playing for the United States against Cuba on Friday after all. The midfielder suffered a strained rib muscle while playing for the Philadelphia Union over the weekend and had to take himself off the team for the Americans' upcoming friendly.
Manager Jurgen Klinsmann is opting not to replace Bedoya on the roster, cutting the team down to 22 players. Now, Christian Pulisic and Paul Arriola are the only players left on the team who are natural wide midfielders, potentially giving them more playing time, although Klinsmann doesn't shy away from playing players out of position or changing formations that might change things.
Right now, the focus for Bedoya is probably on the Union, who are fighting for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They are only three points up for the sixth and final playoff place with two matches to play. Bedoya is vital to their team and the Union will need him if they are going to get into the postseason and make a run there.
The timing of the injury is pretty good for Philadelphia, who have the international break off, because now Bedoya has two weeks to recover before needing to be back for the Union's stretch run.
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