World Cup notes: U.S. forward Jozy Altidore trains alone

SAO PAULO – Jozy Altidore has trained on his own again, an indication the injured forward isn’t likely to start in the United States’ second-round World Cup game against Belgium next week.

Altidore hasn’t played since straining his left hamstring in the opener against Ghana on June 16.

In the knockout stage of consecutive World Cups for the first time, the U.S. plays Belgium on Tuesday night in the northeastern city of Salvador.

U.S. referee gets nod for France-Nigeria

Referee Mark Geiger of the U.S. has been selected by FIFA to handle the France vs. Nigeria match on Monday in Brasilia. It’s the third match duty for Geiger, a full-time referee from Beachwood, New Jersey, and his regular assistants, American Sean Hurd and Joe Fletcher of Canada. Geiger also worked Chile’s 2-0 win over Spain and Colombia beating Greece 3-0.