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USMNT to face Canada on Jan. 29th in Houston

The U.S. Men’s National Team will face Canada in a friendly at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, the Canadian Soccer Association announced on Monday (U.S. Soccer has also confirmed the friendly).

The friendly will come at the end of the USMNT’s January training camp, slated to take place at Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. from Jan. 15th to January 28th.

The CONCACAF rivals last met in June, when they played to a scoreless draw in Toronto.

What do you think of this development? Like the idea of facing Canada again? think the Canucks can offer a good challenge before the USMNT faces Honduras.

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Im probably going to the game. They don’t play in Houston often.

    Do you think we will see starters like Dempsey and Bradley at the game? Or mainly up and comers?

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    • I like that this is not another Mexico vs. US game where I feel the city is typecast. Though this does set up a scenario where Reliant can continue to host that kind of obvious game, while BBVA could host neutral site matches and random US games.

      FWIW, I think we could host a Panama or Jamaica type game, maybe even put it in the big building, and it would still feel like our home game and we’d probably have more show up than Tampa or Nashville or some of the picks like that which US Soccer has been making.

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  2. I hope De-Ro is back for Canada….. I want to play against a team at full strength for our makeshift defense without any first-team players.

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  3. Who I want to see starting: going along with the 4-1-3-2
    Boyd- Eddie Johnson
    Graham Zusi- Mix- Gatt
    Jermaine Jones (c)
    Sinovic-Besler- Gonzalez- Steve Beitashour
    Nick Rimando

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    • I think we see Goodson in the line-up (whether we like it or not), as JK will likely want some sort of veteran presence. But otherwise, I like it.

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      • Yeah, Dihno I’m sort of resigned that Klinsi will continually call up Goodsen. He lacks strength and the qualities needed to start alongside Geoff in the center. I want to throw two young, inexperienced (USMNT speaking) into the fire and see how they handle Canada. I hope we see both of these guys as well as more CB’s like Okugo off of the bench. On the offensive side of the ball, I want to see Boyd in a Rapid Vienna type of form playing nearly the whole game alongside an experience vet in EJ. Mix could have his USA soil coming out party, and establish himself as a key player for Portland and even possibly USMNT. Gatt/ Zusi are two players who could be key, especially pending Shea’s injuries and lack of form as of late, and Donavan’s indecissiveness to commit. Pontius could very well start in place of Gatt. Through JJ in at CDM to lead and captain the team and add the destroyer quality.

    • seeing that it is a tuesday game, a week before the Qualifier in Honduras, I doubt there will be 3 games in 2 weeks. More likely, they camp Jan 17-29, play Canada on the 29th and then break for a day or two before calling in the next group for the Qualifier.

      Although that would be interesting to have a tuesday game, saturday game and a Wednesday Qualifier. but when only 4-6 players carry over between groups i don’t see it.

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      • I basically agree with your analysis, I don’t think there’s time to get the offseason/break players in shape, play two games while avoiding the rest issues from the summer schedule last year, and then play a qualifier. I assume this Canada game is the proving ground for the camp cupcakers, a select few of whom will supplement the European and Mexican players in the qualifier rosters. The intent is to give the offseason players a chance to get back in game shape and a few weeks and a game is their chance.

        I also think at this point in the cycle there’s not much point to a lengthy camp intended at discovering a bunch of interesting players. Maybe in the first two years of a cycle, but right now you are looking for specific spots, and maybe for someone to surprise you and shove aside someone like Kljestan who is on the periphery of the 18, and never seems to wow when they show up. So a more focused camp is appropriate, and the one game is basically their chance to wow the coach. Save the cattle call for Gold Cup.

        You want the standouts from the camp fresh, not tired, if they make the real games. This summer showed how not to do it. 1 game suffices.

  4. I like this as we should be close to getting Canada’s full strength team right? I know it’s not a FIFA date but most of there team I imagine would be MLSers or lower level leagues on winter break?

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  5. Good non-killer team to blend some veterans with some youth. Canada is a tough team but doesn’t kill you on every and any mistake you make like some better teams. I could see a 0-0 or 1-1 game if both teams bring experimental / young players.

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  6. I really like this announcement. Canada provides a solid opponent, Houston provides a chance for the camp players to experience traveling as a group and BBVA will be a great venue (1st time for usmnt). This probably means that BBVA will not be a hex venue.

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