Tony Beltran replaces injured Brad Evans on U.S. roster for Mexico friendly

Tony Beltran last played for the U.S. in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. (Steve Conner/Icon SMI) Brad Evans will miss a chance to strengthen his case for a

Tony Beltran last played for the U.S. in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. (Steve Conner/Icon SMI)

Brad Evans will miss a chance to strengthen his case for a starting spot in Brazil, with a calf injury forcing him out of the national team's friendly with Mexico on Wednesday. In his stead, U.S. Soccer announced on Sunday that Real Salt Lake fullback Tony Beltran has been added to the squad

The move opens up the starting right back spot for Michael Parkhurst, DeAndre Yedlin, or even Beltran himself against Mexico.

Evans' injury actually occurred back on March 15th in Seattle Sounders' game against Toronto FC, but his failure to recover in time means Beltran will get his chance. The Real Salt Lake man has two U.S. caps to his name, and was part of the 2013 Gold Cup squad.

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Perhaps his performance in the Royals' 3-0 win over fellow national teamer Michael Bradley and Toronto FC on Saturday helped his case, especially since Jurgen Klinsmann himself was in attendance.

https://twitter.com/ussoccer/status/450119734541832192

The United States takes on rival Mexico on Wednesday at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (8 p.m. ET, ESPN). The U.S. squad, with Beltran, is as follows:

GOALKEEPERS: Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire)

DEFENDERS: DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake) Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Michael Orozco (Puebla), Michael Parkhurst (Columbus Crew), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)

MIDFIELDERS: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Philadelphia Union), Luis Gil (Real Salt Lake), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

FORWARDS: Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Eddie Johnson (D.C. United), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

was announced earlier this week