Los Angeles (AFP) – United States striker Jozy Altidore was ruled out of the upcoming Copa America Centenario on Monday with a hamstring injury, his club said.

Toronto FC said in a statement Altidore faced up to eight weeks out after suffering the injury while taking a penalty during Saturday’s Major League Soccer clash with the Vancouver Whitecaps. 

“Forward Jozy Altidore has been diagnosed with a hamstring strain and is expected to be out of the line-up for 6-8 weeks,” the club statement said.

Altidore, 26, has featured regularly in USA squads in recent years and would have been likely to have made the squad for the June 3-26 Copa America Centenario taking place in the United States next month.

He has scored 34 international goals in 93 appearances since making his debut as a teenager in 2007, playing in both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

He returned to MLS last year after an successful spell with Premier League side Sunderland, which saw him score only one goal in 42 appearances.