HARRISON, N.J. (AP) - U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann made three changes to his starting lineup for Sunday’s World Cup prep match against Turkey, changing his left side by inserting defender Timmy Chandler and midfielder Brad Davis in place of DaMarcus Beasley and Alejandro Bedoya.
Captain Clint Dempsey started at forward in place of Chris Wondolowski for the match, the next to last for the Americans before they leave for the World Cup in Brazil. Dempsey, the U.S. captain, had been in the original lineup for Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Azerbaijan in San Francisco but was scratched during warmups because of a sore groin.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard was set to make his 99th international appearance.
Fabian Johnson was at right back, and Geoff Cameron and Matt Besler in central defense. Chandler made his first start since the loss at Hondurus in qualifying in February 2013.
With the U.S. again using a 4-4-2 formation with a diamond midfield, Jermaine Jones was sat deep, with Graham Zusi on the right and Michael Bradley up front.
Dempsey was joined at forward by Jozy Altidore, scoreless in five international matches since October,
Preparing for their seventh straight World Cup appearance, the Americans complete their pre-tournament exhibitions on Saturday against Nigeria in Jacksonville, Fla., and are to arrive at their training base in Sao Paulo on June 9. They scrimmage Belgium on June 12, then play Ghana in their World Cup opener four days later.
At the World Cup, the Americans also meet Portugal on June 22 and Germany four days later in one of the tougher first-round groups.
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