When? In 2002 we dominated, and we had a send-off that looked a lot like our group, in reverse, but nevertheless... Yes, we played 3 top teams in the send off, and that helped us. 2006 had one African team in the send off, the other teams looked nothing like Italy or Czech Republic. So far, the rumored friendlies look great. Netherlands, Australia, Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, Mexico and Honduras. I would say that we need to play one more big Euro team (Germany or Italy), one more strong 2nd tier Euro team (Like Croatia or Ukraine) or South American team, and two northern African teams. That should round out 10 good friendlies. The failure in 2006 was that we had one good date (Germany), and then squandered everything else. From what I am seeing, this isn't happening so far. The weakest confirmed fixture is Honduras, a World Cup team that will play it's full roster.
Are all of these confirmed? That's awesome! Four strong WC sides, one like Algeria (only better!) and one like Slovenia. I can't imagine a better run of games to get ready. I don't know if there is time or enough international dates available to get in any more. Once the Team is "In Country", they'll be able to set up a couple more closed door scrimmages but I'd be more than happy with the above set list. After watching the vomit inducing run up in 06 (yea I paid to see USA v Jamaica-B Team in Cary, NC et al), this is golden!
are there enough fifa dates to squeez in all those matches... january...ok, mls guys mexico...usa best... netherlands...usa best... is there another FIFA date, or will it simply be the end of may matches... i can see maybe 6 matches...or 7 with another fifa date
US v Mexico, Wednesday Feb 24th at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. This is one of Mexico's 6 "home games" in the US for 2010, as scheduled by SUM. So Mexico FA was driving when/where on this one, not US Soccer.
Honduran FA President now saying the US v Honduras date has been changed to Saturday, Jan. 23rd at HDC: http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&tl=en&u=http://www.latribuna.hn/web2.0/?p=75040
So far, only Honduras, Mexico, and Netherlands are confirmed. Northern Ireland has been confirmed by the Northern Ireland FA. Australia and the Czech republic are still unconfirmed. Nevertheless, Mexico and the Netherlands are great picks. I seem to recall we do well in World Cups where we play both Mexico and the Netherlands in friendlies before the tournament.
Not according to Reforma (Mexico city's largest newspaper). Apparently US soccer wants to make it easier for American euro-based players to be at the US-Mexico match so they want to play in the east coast. I hope that the Mexican federation forgets about the revenue that a game in California can generate, show some consideration for the Mexican euro-based players too, and accept the US soccer petition to have this game played in the east coast.
In any other year I'd say "go ahead and play it at the Rose Bowl," but given that this is a World Cup year with very little in the way of FIFA dates, I think it makes sense for the sake of both teams to gather as much of their A squads as possible for this match, since there will be few chances to do so otherwise. Neither team would much resemble their full squad without a good portion of the Euro-based players anymore, and what's needed more than anything else are preparatory matches. It won't do us any good, and I don't think it will benefit Mexico much to go looking for 3rd string depth at this point (that's what the USA's January match against Honduras is for).
i think we'll find mexicans everywhere in the usa, even on the east coast... why not a florida match...
I guess the best thing would be a compromise and play in the near midwest. It's not the east coast, but it's not the west coast either. I see Nashville, Chicago, St. Louis, and Kansas City being good venues which will give the Mexican FA the numbers they want. If all else fails, Houston would be the failsafe.
Although there might be capacity issues, maybe christen Red Bull Arena with it? Should be lovely, for the springtime.
Regardless of where it is in the US, it will be an away game. Heck, they could play it in freakin Anchorage, and the Mexicans would still outnumber us.
i see warmer climes being desired... why NOT dallas in jerry jones nightmare of a stadium.. have them do the 3d gimmick again...
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/12/16/us.netherlands.ap/index.html?eref=sircrc Looks like we scheduled Netherlands. It will take place in March. This is the #3 team in the world currently. Good stuff!
looks were trying to organize a Tunisia friendly on May 26th in Rades http://www.goal.com/en/news/89/afri...sa-both-interested-in-tunisia-friendly-report
We need to schedule Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, Mexico, Ghana, South Korea (in South Korea), and Bolivia (at altitude). We don't need the team to become Rocky III: ROCKY: What? I had ten title defences. MICKEY: That was easy. ROCKY: What do you mean, easy? MICKEY: They was hand-picked! ROCKY: Set-ups? MICKEY: No, they weren't set-ups! They was good fighters. But they wasn't killers, like this guy. He'll knock ya into tomorrow, Rock. ROCKY: Jeez, Mick. Why'd you do it? MICKEY: Because the beating that you got from Apollo shoulda killed you, kid. It didn't. It was my job to keep you winning, and to keep you healthy.
This is great news for three reasons. For one, it means the USSF has abandoned the silly send off as we know it--We will be training in Europe/Africa before the World Cup. Secondly, the Atlas mountains are a great place to get acclimated for the World Cup. Three, and hypothetically speaking--France is arranging a Tunisian camp. So, I can see a situation where this is a 3-team mini-series, with France playing Tunisia, USA playing Tunisia, and France playing the USA just before kickoff on May 31 or such. It would be in France's interest to play the USA and vice versa--The USA is a comparable side to Mexico and/or South Africa, and likewise France is a great preparation for England. If we get Tunisia, that's good news. If we can manage Tunisia and France, this is nothing short of perfect, especially if we can line up the Czech republic as rumored. Funny, I was thinking that Clubber Lang was the USA. We're hungry, we're mean, we have little club repuation compared to England, and England's training is what's going to be the circus.
The USA v Turkey Friendly announced for Philadelphia May 29. Thier last match before they leave for the WC. Can they fit in a trip to N. Africa? Probably not. There would have to be at least one other before May 29th no?