Knee injury sidelines Mexico’s Martinez for Gold Cup semifinals

Martinez will miss Gold Cup semifinal

CHICAGO — Mexico’s Israel Martinez is out for Thursday’s Gold Cup semifinal against Costa Rica.

The midfielder hurt his left knee when he was running during a training session this week. Martinez, who played in two games, is the only player who won’t be available, coach Javier Aguirre says.

This is El Tri’s second straight appearance in the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals. It is Costa Rica’s first trip to the semis since 2003.