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Report: Red Bull Arena to host USMNT pre-World Cup friendly

Red Bull Arena (Getty Images)

 

By FRANCO PANIZO

The U.S. Men’s National Team’s send-off series will apparently include a stop at Red Bull Arena.

SI.com reported on Wednesday that one of the U.S.’s three friendlies prior to the 2014 World Cup will take place at the home of the New York Red Bulls in Harrison, N.J. The match would likely take place on May 27 or June 1 against an opponent that has yet to be identified, and would mark the Americans’ second trip to Red Bull Arena. The U.S. lost to Ecuador, 1-0, in their previous visit back in 2011.

The Americans’ send-off series has traditionally been based on the east coast. In 2010, the U.S. held its pre-World Cup camp in Princeton, N.J. before playing in friendlies against the Czech Republic in Hartford, Conn. and Turkey in Philadelphia. The U.S. also previously played a send-off series in the New York/New Jersey area, taking on Jamaica back in 2002 before the World Cup in South Korea/Japan.

Additionally, SI.com reported that the U.S. is looking to play its final friendly in Florida on June 7 before departing for Sao Paulo, Brazil the next day.

A Red Bulls spokesman declined to comment on the potential friendly when contacted by SBI.

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What do you think of the USMNT possibly returning to Red Bull Arena for a friendly? Who would you like to see them play? Where else are you hoping they stop before heading to Brazil?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I hear it’s USA vs. Nigeria, in Jacksonville on the 7th of June.

    All those wanting an African team…you’re getting your wish.

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  2. I’d say this is very unlikely. USSF already put out a proposed budget that depends heavily on drawing big crowds to home friendlies leading up to the work cup. They won’t put any of the matches leading up to Brazil in a stadium that seats fewer than 50,000.

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  3. the 06 send off in East Hartford was probably around 9k-10k people on a Saturday, 2010 game same location on a week day was sold out 40k people. Hopefully 4 years from now we are selling out 60k seater stadiums to send the team away.

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  4. Why not play somewhere hot because they are going to Brazil? Ukraine will be chilly and this will be pleasant. They need to prepare for equatorial sauna. SE USA.

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  5. “Additionally, SI.com reported that the U.S. is looking to play its final friendly in Florida on June 7 before departing for Sao Paulo, Brazil the next day.”

    this is interesting because Klinsmann had said he didn’t want to play England because they wanted to do it in Florida (Miami) and USSF reportedly wanted it to be on the west coast. guess we’ll find out.

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      • i’m not challenging the fact that logistically it makes sense in terms of then leaving to head to Brazil. but here is what was reported:

        “Talks had taken place with US Soccer chiefs about playing Jürgen Klinsmann’s side but it is understood the FA wanted to play the match in Miami while the United States wanted to hold the friendly nearer their own pre-World Cup base on the West Coast of the country.”

      • Ya i remember that too.. Confusing.. The process of determining the game locations is an odd process.

        You would think that if we were to play in Florida it would be against England.. Maybe they just missed that chance .. Maybe they have better plans…

  6. Really cool to see the USMNT returning to RBA. My worry is that US fans get outnumbered by the visiting fans if they play a Central/South American team. Don’t want it to be like the Ecuador game.

    Reply

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