Who would you like to see the USMNT play in an upcoming friendly?

[XaviusX]

Personally, I'd like to see them play against Australia or Japan. I think that would make for a helluva good match either home or away. What do you guys think? Any other teams you'd like to see them play against?

[Marchetti]

Yes, Japan. Without a doubt.

To some degree, Japan owes the US a friendly after pulling out of one a few years back.

[Jabinho]

France or Italy in Europe.. Since the French and Italians likely won't come here.. ;)

[scaryice]

Any UEFA teams, just to prepare for the World Cup. Hopefully we play a return match in England next year.

We really don't need any home friendlies in the near future, because of the Gold Cup.

I would guess that we'll have our next friendly in December, or maybe January.

[XaviusX]

Yes, Japan. Without a doubt.

To some degree, Japan owes the US a friendly after pulling out of one a few years back.


I remember, they feared a Terrorist attack so they backed out and so we had to play Venezuela, who we beat 2-0, in Seattle. So yeah, they do owe us one!

[MetroFever]

Croatia

[Bajoro]

I'm too worried about Wednesday in Panama to even think about friendlies. But you guys knock yourselves out. :D

[Jabinho]

I'm too worried about Wednesday in Panama to even think about friendlies. But you guys knock yourselves out. :D
LOL.. true.. Can you say.. "Suspect penalty call?" ;)

[Carson Galaxy]

Any UEFA teams, just to prepare for the World Cup. Hopefully we play a return match in England next year.

We really don't need any home friendlies in the near future, because of the Gold Cup.

I would guess that we'll have our next friendly in December, or maybe January.

I expect the same type of program that took us to the 2002 WC. Perhaps a match abroad for MLS players in December...Tunisia in Tunis sounds intriguing. Due to the possible 4 spots for CONCACAF, that might enable us to play an African country as that was not possible the last couple WC's...a December friendly would certainly be set before the actual draw.

I would almost guarantee a huge camp at HDC in January mostly of MLS players with a set of matches (US Cup returns?). Too bad there won't be the Gold Cup at this time, much like 2002. That was something that really made the team gel and there is no way to simulate that this time around...even with a US Cup tournament.

The 2002 formula of mixed friendlies stateside and in Europe from February to the Cup will likely be used. Friendly already set in Germany is a good move. Other top quality matches will be added I'm sure...maybe France, Spain & England among others can be set up. Stateside matches with Australia or Japan would be nice...expect a CONCACAF rival thrown in for good measure.

[K.P.]

Maybe a game against France, since we may not see them in Germany. :D

[hansel]

Someone European, in Europe. I think that Italy or Spain would be a good choice. Heck, even Germany

[Bayern1986]

I would like to see us play Brazil it would be a great way to see how good the nats are against the best and a good way to prepare for the world cup.

[NBlue]

It seems that we are likely to play Germany in Germany in 2006 prior to the WC and I would assume we would likely play another team in a friendly at that time though I doubt it will be another qualifier from UEFA. Perhaps a match against Belgium or an equivalent team would be likely.

Personally, I would love to see the US play Italy but I don't think its going to happen before this WC.

[bltleo]

USA-Czech Republic...
both teams plays aggressive soccer, have talented and young players..
both have big future....so Czech Republic
would be cool to see how donovan performs against czech striker Baros or
Kollar..good test:)

the second friendly game....USA-GERMANy....last match USA-Germany
during WC 06 was definitely very interesting...good performance of Landon...

[Elninho]

Friendlies that I would like to schedule before the 2006 World Cup:

Germany away - apparently already in the works. Especially intriguing because, ironically enough, despite the statures of both teams in the soccer world, our coach is somewhat of a mentor to theirs, in Klinsmann's own admission. Klinsmann will be anxious to show Arena what he's learned since leaving the Home Depot Center to take on the Germany coaching job.

Czech Republic away - we haven't played them in a long time, and away friendlies in Europe are going to be crucial.

Greece home - why home? It's because Greece, though less individually talented than the US, clearly knows how to win with what it has. At the moment, the Greeks have one of the toughest defenses in the world to score on, and by playing them at home we put them where they are likely to defend-and-counter and give priority to keeping us from scoring. If our national team has a real weakness, it's the inability to break down a bunker - indeed, the ability to score on a disciplined packed defense is what separates good teams from great teams - and what better way to address that issue than to test our attack against one of the best bunkers in the world?

South Korea away - three senior matches in seven months in 2001-02 and numerous youth matches since then have turned this into a good friendly rivalry. I'd like to see us cement it with a friendly in the run-up to 2006, and it's another opportunity to play a strong team in a very intimidating away atmosphere.

Japan home or away - as stated already, they owe us a friendly. And it'd be a good match too. Preferably it's at home, because they pulled out of a friendly in Seattle... but if we play them away, we could make a single trip to East Asia to play both them and South Korea.

England away - if we're playing friendlies in Europe, why not a return match, with near-full-strength teams?

Norway away - we've got a number of players in their top flight, and our clubs have played theirs at La Manga for three consecutive seasons now.

Sweden away - I'd like to see how our defense and midfield stack up to a supremely athletic adversary. A direct Beasley-Ljungberg matchup on our left flank in the spring of 2006 sounds like a mouth-watering prospect.

Portugal away - we should play at least one of the "Latin" European nations, and we might as well give their new generation a shot at us while we're at it.

[taco jones]

Sweden away - I'd like to see how our defense and midfield stack up to a supremely athletic adversary. A direct Beasley-Ljungberg matchup on our left flank in the spring of 2006 sounds like a mouth-watering prospect.

Didn't this Beasley-Ljungberg matchup occur in the Champions League this year when PSV faced Arsenal, with Beasley having his worst game since joining the Eredivisie? IIRC it was Beasley's "Donovan vs. Liverpool" performance.

[Elninho]

Didn't this Beasley-Ljungberg matchup occur in the Champions League this year when PSV faced Arsenal, with Beasley having his worst game since joining the Eredivisie? IIRC it was Beasley's "Donovan vs. Liverpool" performance.
Forgot about that, but yes, that is true. Given Beasley's improvement at PSV, though, it's likely to be a much closer battle in 2006.

[Raider Red]

I'd like to take on France's Over the Hill Gang. I don't see them winning at Ireland or Switzerland, so they won't qualify for the WC. Us beating them would be the final nail in the coffin for them, and would prove that their success over the past decade has been solely from them getting to play tournaments at home. (WC 98, Euro championships)

[galperin]

Any UEFA team away.

[bltleo]

I'd like to take on France's Over the Hill Gang. I don't see them winning at Ireland or Switzerland, so they won't qualify for the WC. Us beating them would be the final nail in the coffin for them, and would prove that their success over the past decade has been solely from them getting to play tournaments at home. (WC 98, Euro championships)


ach, USA want to make it ease:)...just easy team which not qualified for WC 06:)..no, no US boys...you need some strong team, to test ...
don´t forget the in WC 06 will be the best team in the world..
so I still think you should try Germany, Czech REpublic or maybe Italy.
If you come to Germany in 06, you will meet one of these teams...I´m sure
so why not to test them before:).....it is the best preparation....
Even game USA-Holland could be interesting...
hey, more challenge USA!!!!....you can manage..believe me..