US playing short-handed against Panama in Gold Cup quarterfinal

US playing short-handed against Panama

PHILADELPHIA — The United States will be playing short-handed in Saturday’s CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal against Panama.

Four of the 23 players on the original U.S. roster have returned to their European clubs: forwards Charlie Davies (Sochaux) and Freddy Adu (Benfica), and defenders Steve Cherundolo (Hannover) and Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaellands).

In addition, midfielder Benny Feilhaber has gone back to Aarhus after playing for the U.S. in the first round. Feilhaber was among seven additions to the original U.S. roster allowed by CONCACAF because the Americans headed to the Gold Cup immediately after the Confederations Cup.

None of the additional players will be with the U.S. for this weekend’s game, team spokesman Michael Kammarman said. The winner plays Canada or Honduras in the semifinals.

The U.S. is seeking its third straight Gold Cup title.