The United States has left center back Oguchi Onyewu on the bench in a shakeup to its lineup as it takes on Algeria in a crucial Group C match Wednesday.
Onyewu has been replaced by Jonathan Bornstein while Herculez Gomez is coming on for suspended striker Robbie Findley. Maurice Edu will play in the midfield instead of Jose Torres.
The U.S. soccer federation said it was coach Bob Bradley’s decision to leave Onyewu out of the lineup and not related to his fitness. Bornstein will play on the left in the defense, with captain Carlos Bocanegra stepping into the center of the back four.
Algeria has made one change from its lineup against England, bringing on striker Rafik Djebbour to lead its attack, ahead of Karim Matmour and Karim Ziani.
Djebbour played in Algeria’s 1-0 loss to Slovenia but was left out of the lineup in its second match against England.
Algeria needs to win to have any chance of advancing from the group while a draw could be enough for the United States depending on the result in the other Group C match between England and Slovenia.
Rais Bolhi will guard the goal for the North African side for the second consecutive match. Goalkeeper Fawzi Chaouchi was taken out of the lineup after fumbling on a shot from Robert Koren that gave Slovenia the win in the first match.
Line-ups:
United States: Tim Howard, Steve Cherundolo, Jay DeMerit, Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Bornstein, Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Maurice Edu, Clint Dempsey, Herculez Gomez, Jozy Altidore.
Algeria: Rais Bolhi, Madjid Bougherra, Nadir Belhadj, Anther Yahia, Rafik Halliche, Medhi Lacen, Rafik Djebbour, Karim Matmour, Karim Ziani, Hassen Yebda, Fouad Kadir.
