19.06.2014 18:50 h

Altidore will miss US match against Portugal

Forward Jozy Altidore will miss the United States' crucial World Cup match against Portugal on Sunday with a hamstring injury, the US Soccer Federation announced Thursday.

But striker Clint Dempsey and Matt Besler would be ready for the critical Group G match against Cristiano Ronaldo, US officials indicated in a Twitter statement.

Altidore "out" of the USA v Portugal game while Besler and Dempsey "are fit andavailable," the injury update said.

Altidore left the Americans' 2-1 victory over Ghana on Monday in the 21st minute with a left hamstring strain. Besler went out in the 41st minute with a right hamstring issue.

Dempsey suffered a broken nose in the triumph and could use a mask to protect his nose from further damage in future matches.

Portugal need a victory over the Americans to get their World Cup back on track after opening with a 4-0 loss to Germany.

Victories by the Americans and Germany over Ghana would advance the US squad to the final 16, the same stage they reached in 2010 before being eliminated in South Africa by Ghana.