Michael Parkhurst (red/white), shown in 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal action against Honduras, was called up to United States training camp roster -- replacing the injured Brad Evans -- for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Mexico. (Photo: Mexsport)
CHICAGO – United States head coach Jurgen Klinsmann added defender Michael Parkhurst to the national team’s training camp roster Sunday in place of Brad Evans, who suffered a calf strain in the Seattle Sounders’ 1-0 Major League Soccer win over the Columbus Crew one day earlier.
Parkhurst started in five of six matches in the Americans’ run to the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup title, including the 1-0 win over Panama in the final. He will travel Monday to Miami, where the team has gathered in preparation for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Costa Rica and Mexico.
The 29-year-old has appeared in two qualifying matches for Brazil 2014, a 3-1 home win over Guatemala and a 2-1 loss at Jamaica.
In the USA’s last away qualifier, Evans scored in the second minute of second-half stoppage time to deliver a 2-1 win against Jamaica on June 7 in Kingston, the first ever road victory in qualifying against the Reggae Boyz.
The first-place U.S. next sees action on September 6 at second-place Costa Rica, where it will seek its first-ever away win in qualifying against the Ticos.
