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USMNT: Chris Pontius to replace Kenny Saief on Gold Cup roster

By Jordan Jacobsen

GENT, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 15: Kenny Saief of K.A.A. Gent looks on during the KAA Gent Training Session held at the Oefencomplex Training Complex on February 15, 2017 in Gent, Belgium. KAA Gent will play Tottenham Hotspur in their Europa League match on the 16th of February, 2017. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
GENT, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 15: Kenny Saief of K.A.A. Gent looks on during the KAA Gent Training Session held at the Oefencomplex Training Complex on February 15, 2017 in Gent, Belgium. KAA Gent will play Tottenham Hotspur in their Europa League match on the 16th of February, 2017. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia Union attacker has been called on to replace the USMNT newcomer, Saief, who leaves the squad to recover from a groin injury

As the United States prepares to get their 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign underway, they will be moving forward without one of the most intriguing pieces on the roster. Midfielder Kenny Saief has been replaced by Philadelphia Union winger, Chris Pontius. Saief made his USMNT debut last week in a second half cameo against Ghana after filing his One-Time-Switch with FIFA to play for the United States instead of Israel.

Saief has been dealing with a groin injury since finishing up his season with KAA Gent of the Belgian First Division, and aggravated the injury against Ghana, leading to the Pontius call-up.

The 30-year-old Pontius has revitalized his career with the Union after playing several seasons with DC United. He was called into the January camp because of recent form, where he made appearances both against Serbia and Jamaica, and will now get a chance to wear the red, white, and blue in the CONCACAF competition. Pontius has yet to score in MLS this season, but has six assists in his 17 appearances. The USMNT will begin play on Saturday as they take on Panama in Nashville, TN.

The Mysterious Saief

It’s a shame that Saief won’t get the chance to show off his talents in the Gold Cup. The 23-year-old has gotten his career off to a solid start, and has shown plenty of attacking prowess in the Belgium top flight. His move to file his one time switch caught many by surprise, as he was a relatively unknown player. Saief, who started his career at coming up through various academies in Israel before playing several seasons in the top two Israeli divisions, originally stated his interest in playing for the United States in 2014 while both the US and Israel were participating in World Cup Qualifying.

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Saief typically has played as an attacking midfielder while also featuring on the left. His abilities could allow Fabian Johnson to transition back to left back while the USMNT attack would not lose attacking ability. For now, we’ll have to wait and see what Saief can really do with a US crest.

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