Star report

U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said he's optimistic about the chances of forward Jozy Altidore playing in Tuesday's World Cup knockout stage game against Belgium.

"We are very optimistic. Every day is a big step forward for him," Klinsmann said.

Altidore pulled up lame with a hamstring injury in the American's group opening win versus Ghana and hasn't played since. He was seen jogging at the U.S. team's training session earlier Friday.

In his absence, Klinsmann has deployed Clint Dempsey as the Americans' lone forward.

In other injury news, Jermaine Jones has a broken nose as he expected after Thursday's game against Germany, but he is scheduled to play in the round of 16 against Belgium on Tuesday in Salvador.

U.S. Soccer Federation spokesman Michael Kammarman said Jones and fellow midfielder Alejandro Bedoya each were checked on the field during the 1-0 loss at Recife following their second-half collision, and three more times since. Jones won't wear a protective mask and the fracture hasn't caused discoloration in the area.