Dempsey to miss US friendly against Costa Rica

Published Aug. 29, 2011 8:24 p.m. ET

foxsports

Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey will not join the U.S. team for Friday's international friendly against Costa Rica.

U.S. Soccer says Dempsey will stay in London to get treatment for back spasms. He will join the Americans on Sunday ahead of their match Sept. 6 in Brussels against Belgium.

U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann added Chris Pontius and Jonathan Spector to his squad Monday for the Costa Rica match in Carson, California. They replace Zach Loyd and Heath Pearce, both nursing hamstring injuries.