The United States Under-23 national team found out who it would play during the group stage of Olympic qualifying earlier in the week, and now it knows when it will play each of its opponents.
The U.S. team will open qualifying against Cuba on March 22, followed by a meeting with Canada two days later and a final group game against El Salvador on March 26. All of the games will take place at LP Field in Nashville, Tenn.
Group A, which contains the United States, and Group B will alternate matchdays leading up to the March 31 semifinals at Livestrong Sporting Park. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, where the two winners will clinch places at the 2012 Olympics in London.
Here is the full schedule for CONCACAF Olympic qualifying:
CONCACAF OLYMPIC QUALIFYING SCHEDULE (All times Eastern)
GROUP A (LP Field, Nashville, Tenn.)
Thursday, March 22
El Salvador vs. Canada, 6:30 p.m.
United States vs. Cuba, 9 p.m.
Saturday, March 24
Cuba vs. El Salvador, 4:30 p.m.
United States vs. Canada, 7 p.m.
Monday, March 26
Canada vs. Cuba, 6:30 p.m.
United States vs. El Salvador, 9 p.m.
GROUP B (Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.)
Friday, March 23
Honduras vs. Panama, 9 p.m.
Trinidad & Tobago vs. Mexico, 11:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 25
Panama vs. Trinidad & Tobago, 4:30 p.m.
Mexico vs. Honduras, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, March 27
Honduras vs. Trinidad & Tobago, 9 p.m.
Mexico vs. Panama, 11:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS (Livestrong Sporting Park, Kansas City, Kan.)
Saturday, March 31
Group B winner vs. Group A runner-up, 6 p.m.
Group A winner vs. Group B runner-up, 9 p.m.
CHAMPIONSHIP (Livestrong Sporting Park)
Monday, April 2
Semifinal winners, 8 p.m.
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Plan on attending any of the matches? How do you feel about the progression of U.S opponents?
Share your thoughts below.
The US matches for both Men’s and Women’s CONCACAF Olympic qualifiers will be on Universal Sport. You’ll definitely want to check after the new year to see if you have the channel.
Luck of the draw? Though I’m not really sure it’s “luck” as it might increase the chances of Mexico finishing second and meeting the US in the all important semis.
Not read much on the lopsided groups. How did the U.S manage to get the three weakest teams in its half?
i go to the U of Alabama and Ill be there 🙂 im sure attendance will be fine.. just hope the boys take care of business
Agudelo?
Do you think people will be at these games? i’ll be in school but would love to make the trip for a long weekend of soccer. just wondering how many usa fans would be there to tailgate and such
The separation in games is really small. Hopefully we have it wrapped up after 2 so we can rest in the 3rd
Nashville: I still don’t get it. No offense to Nashvillians, but is that the best market for a major soccer tournament? I honestly don’t know; I live 2000 miles from there.
The Mid-Atlantic or Pacific Northwest makes more sense.
I’m guessing US Soccer will sell a 3 day pass for these games (kind of like an NCAA basketball tournament weekend)? Can’t believe they would have much luck selling 3 separate tickets for this.
Nashville resident & ready to start marketing this locally to drum up interest!
Well, I’m sure they will arrive at least a day before the tourney starts — that’s more than enough time to defect!
so many games in such a short period of time. can’t wait!
Guess that means the US will face the full cuban team while canada will get the team that will be lucky to have 11
Will the games be televised?