The CONCACAF Gold Cup is full of wrinkles, none more odd than allowing roster changes after the group stage of the 12-team regional competition.
U.S. Coach Bruce Arena took full advantage of the rule Sunday, replacing the maximum six players and bolstering the experience level of a largely unseasoned squad that struggled at times in a weak quartet.
Five arrivals seem certain of starting in Wednesday’s quarterfinal in Philadelphia against El Salvador, Jamaica or Honduras: goalkeeper Tim Howard, midfielders Michael Bradley and Darlington Nagbe, and forwards Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore.
The other call-up, Jesse Gonzalez, will serve as the third-choice goalkeeper.