Who should we schedule for March 5 fixture date?

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by keller4president, Dec 5, 2013.

  1. keller4president

    Jan 5, 2006
    Obviously this will depend on how the draw comes out tomorrow - don't want to play anyone in our group or who we could possibly meet in Round of 16. That said, I would like to play other teams that have qualified for the WC - they will be the most motivated and hungry.

    Here are some European options:
    Croatia
    Switzerland
    Portugal
    Greece

    If we get an African side or South American side, I'd try to schedule it at a neutral ground in Europe for ease of travel:
    Ghana
    Ivory Coast
    Nigeria
    Cameroon
    Uruguay
    Colombia

    A number of European teams are already spoken for, however:
    http://us.soccerway.com/matches/2014/03/05/
     
  2. Crimen y Castigo

    May 18, 2004
    OakTown
    Club:
    Los Angeles
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If we don't get Ghana -- which of course we will -- then I'd say Ghana would be a great warm up.
    Next choice: Portugal.
     
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  3. tab5g

    tab5g Member+

    May 17, 2002
    March 5, 2014 is the date for playing Mexico in a big US stadium to make a lot of money on a Wednesday night. (Not that I'd agree with that decision or that Mexico is the team the USA should play in March, but it may be what US soccer opts to do. Although, they should/could just play Mexico in a fall friendly in 2014.)

    The May/June friendlies are for playing "tactically similar" opponents based on who the US will see (or will possibly see) in Brazil.
     
  4. ussoccer97531

    ussoccer97531 Member+

    Oct 12, 2012
    Club:
    --other--
    African Sides:

    Ivory Coast
    Nigeria

    European Sides:

    Portugal
    Switzerland

    South American Sides:

    Colombia
    Uruguay
    Brazil
    Argentina

    Asian Sides:

    Japan
     
  5. GiallorossiYank

    GiallorossiYank Member+

    Jan 20, 2011
    NJ/Roma/Napoli
    Club:
    AS Roma
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I say Portugal in NY? Make some money for the USSF and draw a nice TV rating.
     
  6. truefan420

    truefan420 Member+

    May 30, 2010
    oakland
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    South American side in South America... Best test prep we can get
     
  7. camasterton

    camasterton Member

    Jun 26, 2001
    North Carolina
    It would almost assuredly be in Europe. A majority of the USMNT starters and important reserves are in Europe and the euro leagues have matches on the weekends before and after the open date. No side should travel to the Americas, ours included.
     
  8. adam tash

    adam tash Member+

    Jul 12, 2013
    Barcelona, Spain
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Ivory coast, switzerland, colombia, ecuador, chile.
     
  9. camasterton

    camasterton Member

    Jun 26, 2001
    North Carolina
    Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Cameroon in that order.
     
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  10. Excellency

    Excellency Member+

    LA Galaxy
    United States
    Nov 4, 2011
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Post of the day candidate. Portugal it is then....:whistling:
     
  11. keller4president

    Jan 5, 2006
    We should play one of these:

    Croatia or Switzerland (to prep for Germany, though it's impossible to prep for Germany)

    Ivory Coast/Nigeria/Cameroon (to prep for Ghana)

    Brazil/Argentina/Uruguay/Colombia (to prep for Portugal - all have a few dangerous offensive weapons they lean heavily on)
     
  12. dna77054

    dna77054 Member+

    Jun 28, 2003
    houston
    I would try to get Holland to prep for Germany. Only Aus in Hollands group can be said to have a somewhat similar style to the US, but I think Holland is most interested in a Chile analog, they should take care of Aus easily and already know Spain very well.

    I cannot really think of a good analog for Portugal, who are more defend and counter than they team we played in 02. Maybe Argentina, as they are more quick strike and less possession than in the past, but we would to worry about marking 4 excellent attackers, not just one. Also both Arg and Port could probably choose to play possession against us and we would not be able to change that. I do not know how Portugal will approach us.

    Also I cannot think of a good analog for Ghana.
     
  13. Ironkick14

    Ironkick14 Member+

    Sep 29, 2011
    Chicago, IL
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I doubt they'll be available, but the best opponent for us, since we're limited to one, is Brazil. They (almost) have the size and speed of Ghana, the quick transition style that Germany uses, and flank play that, while it doesn't compare to it, would be a great tactical test for Portugal.
     
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  14. keller4president

    Jan 5, 2006
    I'd love to play the Netherlands, but they're already booked for March 5 friendly date. Actually, Brazil and Argentina are already booked as well.

    http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/03/05/
     
  15. schrutebuck

    schrutebuck Member+

    Jul 26, 2007
    The US seems to do better against opponents like Portugal than opponents like Germany or Ghana. I would try to schedule one of the big-name African or Central European countries.
     
  16. thedukeofsoccer

    thedukeofsoccer Member+

    Jul 11, 2004
    Wussconsin
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Ghanian-like Cameroon in Manaus-like Miami. We pay for the Cameroonians travel for accommodation.
     
  17. Ironkick14

    Ironkick14 Member+

    Sep 29, 2011
    Chicago, IL
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Ivory Coast would be another interesting match up. The style is slightly different from the Ghanaians, but the central midfield battle would be a better test, with Yaya Toure.
     
  18. Excellency

    Excellency Member+

    LA Galaxy
    United States
    Nov 4, 2011
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Makes sense. And there are good airline connections to Miami which has climate similar to Recife.
     
  19. orcrist

    orcrist Member+

    Jun 11, 2005
    Bay Area, California, USA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I would say we did prep for Germany.... by playing Germany. We can pretty much expect a team which will be a bit deadlier and savvier in their attack, without any of the weaknesses we saw in D.C. except perhaps the humid heat-induced wilting.
    Of course, they didn't see the best of us either...

    I would say Holland is good prep, except I don't trust any of our starters on the field with them ever again unless points are at stake (nor then, but obviously then it wouldn't be optional)
     
  20. FLRef

    FLRef Member

    Dec 11, 2010
    Florida
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Aren't we rumored to play Bosnia on that day?
     
  21. Suyuntuy

    Suyuntuy Member+

    Jul 16, 2007
    Vancouver, Canada
    No doubt for me: Nigeria.
     
  22. Reccossu

    Reccossu Member+

    Jan 31, 2005
    Birmingham
    If Klinsmann doesn't do everything in in his power to line up Ivory Coast or Nigeria, then he's not taking this seriously.
     
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  23. Marko72

    Marko72 Member+

    Aug 30, 2005
    New York
    Agreed.

    Seeing as most of the best European opposition already has a sparring partner on March 5th, and that the match with Ghana is so important, I say we schedule a top West African side in Europe. Ivory Coast or Nigeria.
     
  24. Marko72

    Marko72 Member+

    Aug 30, 2005
    New York
    Given circumstances and the draw, I'd say we need a change of plan. Maybe we can host Bosnia in May as one of our three Stateside pre-WC preps.
     
  25. PremierUSA

    PremierUSA Member

    Sep 2, 2013
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Yea, maybe Germany after that. :rolleyes:
     
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