Philly Sports Jabronis
Report From Philadelphia Union
CHESTER, Pa. – Philadelphia Union in conjunction with U.S. Soccer, have announced that midfielder Chris Pontius has been called in by Head Coach Bruce Arena and the United States Men’s National Team for their upcoming matches in the 2017 Gold Cup Group Stage. Pontius will join the USMNT after the Union’s match against Sporting Kansas City.
Pontius was originally named to the USMNT provisional 40-man roster, will now join fellow club teammate Alejandro Bedoya and the rest of the United States Men’s National Team who are in Group B of the competition. The United States will start Gold Cup play against Panama (July 8, Nashville), then Martinique (July 12, Tampa) and wrapping up the Group Stage with Nicaragua (July 15, Cleveland). Pontius has earned two caps for the United States Men’s National Team, both of which have come in 2017.
Pontius earned his first cap on January 29th in a friendly against Serbia in San Diego, California. The midfielder came off the bench replacing Bedoya and earned 25 minutes of action in the match. Pontius earned his second cap and first career start for the USMNT on February 2nd in a friendly against Jamaica.
The midfielder has seen tremendous success in Philadelphia since being acquired from D.C. United. In his first 50 appearances with Philadelphia, Pontius has produced 12 goals and 12 assists for the Union, compared to eight goals and four assists in his first 50 appearances for D.C.
In his first season with Philadelphia, Pontius led Philadelphia in goals scored and was tied for second on the club in assists. Pontius wrapped up the 2016 campaign by leading Philadelphia to their second playoff berth in club history and was voted the 2016 MLS Comeback Player of the Year.
The Gold Cup tournament includes a Quarterfinal doubleheader at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on July 19. The winner of Group A is slated to face the runner-up of Group B (6:00 p.m. ET), while the Winner of Group B takes on a third-placed qualifier from either Group A or Group C (9:00 p.m. ET). It is possible that either the USA (Group B) or Jamaica (Group C) could play their Quarterfinal match in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Union return to action this Thursday when they travel to Children’s Mercy Park to take on Sporting Kansas City. Kick-off is set for 8:30 ET and will be televised on The Comcast Network.
