The U.S. Men’s National Team is reportedly set to take on a pair of South American sides in the buildup to this summer’s Copa America Centenario.
According to Sports Illustrated, the USMNT is likely to face off with Ecuador and Bolivia before this summer’s tournament. Paperwork has yet to be finalized, but SI says that the USMNT will face Ecuador on May 25 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco before facing off with Bolivia on May 28 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City.
Historically, the U.S. is 2-5-5 against Ecuador with the most recent meeting being a 1-1 draw in Landon Donovan’s final USMNT game in 2014. The USMNT is 0-2-5 against Bolivia, which the team hasn’t played since 2001.
Ecuador is currently unblemished in World Cup qualifying and is set to play in Group B alongside Brazil, Haiti and Peru. Bolivia has picked up three points through four qualifying games and will feature in this summer’s tournament against Argentina, Chile and Panama in Group D.
The two matches come roughly a week before the USMNT takes the field for the tournament-opening game against Colombia on June 3 in Santa Clara, California.
Before the U.S. can focus on this summer’s competition, the team will face off with Guatemala for a pair of World Cup qualifiers on March 25 and 29.
What do you think of the two friendlies? Good pre-tournament opponents? What do you expect from the USMNT this summer?
Share your thoughts below.
After this tournament, where we should make the finals, at minimum, the US will be ready for South American World Cup qualifying.
I hope that you are being sarcastic because we would have to get by Brazil or Argentina to get to the Final.
These should be good tune-ups for the US. Will give the US two matches against quality opponents in which to work on team chemistry and insure the players are ready for the increased speed of play. Looking forward to this summers tournament and hoping for a positive display by the USMNT.
Yeeeh, JK gets a chance to try new formations and player at different positions…
Good tests.
Good S.American competition – surprised we aren’t playing Finland and Turkey to prepare for this tournament….