by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
The United States' men's national team could soon be making a flight to Iran.
According to Iran Football Federation chief Ali Kafashian, the USSF has made a request for a friendly in the middle eastern country in October or November. Kafashian said Iran is considering the offer while the United States has neither confirmed nor denied the alleged request.
"Any discussions we have with other federations are kept internal until we have a signed agreement," USSF spokesman Neil Buethe told the Associated Press.
As of now, the United States' last game of the year is scheduled to be a World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica on October 14 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
(SBI- Sunil Gulati was recently in Asia attending the Asian Confederation elections. Coincidence? I think not.)
What do you think of the U.S. requesting a friendly in Iran? Think it would be a good tune-up before the World Cup? Think a friendly like this could have a positive impact on USA-Iran relations? Are you more concerned with exacting revenge for the 1998 World Cup?
Share your thoughts below.
If Israeli sports teams can play Palestinian or Saudi teams safely, and Lebanese militia sponsored soccer teams can play each other safely, the USA and Iranian national teams can do so safely.
Fox News is going to go apeshit over this and continue hating soccer.
Iranians have a lot of respect for the American people, just not our government. I doubt the crowd will be that hostile. They weren’t that hostile against Saudi Arabia, and they’ve had waaaaaaaaay more problems with them over the years than us. But it would be a great game against an evenly matched team.
Bad bad bad idea. There is no way it is safe to play in Iran. The team would be an easy target from the moment they land. Wish it weren’t this way but no matter how good it would be to play a tough team for me it’s not worth the risk.
cant do this theyll blow them up
Dick Cheney would not stand for this. Neither would Rumsfeld.
This friendly is proposterous!!
=)
In footballing terms, it would be a good experience, but does anyone else think the Obama administration is using USSF for its diplomatic agenda, and that that is not a good thing?
And before any partisans get all in a huff, I don’t think it’d be right for an administration on either side of the aisle to meddle in sports.
I don’t like this one bit. The timing is not good at all. The issues between the two countries are too sensitive for politics not to be involved. If things do not go as planned, the media will crucified american soccer.
Love the idea. A friendly match should be played to make your team get good experience to improve. This would be another great move recently by the USSF arranging friendlies that truly test the team.
Is Sam’s Army going to be able to go?
not a good idea…too many terrorist organizations with different agendas around that part of the world. as someone who was in iraq for 15 months, do you know how easy it is for these guys to cross borders without being traced??
I would like to see a friendly against Iraq… in Iraq. The security situation probably doesn’t allow it now, but it would be great to see.
What is the other side of the story to taking hostages?
This is a fantastic environment for a friendly – hostile and against a decent side. I really hope it happens
“The US has played/is scheduled to play South American teams (Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador), African teams (South Africa and Ghana), Asian teams (Japan and China), and European teams (Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Poland, Spain), but no Middle East teams.”
We are scheduled to play Egypt in about a month.
Miami A how blind really are you??? How can you comment on something if you only see one side of a story?
Don’t underestimate the political significance of the match, either. Iran’s religious establishment has always hated the influence of soccer and have made attempts to shut down Iran’s professional league in the past. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Iran rejected the offer for fear that it might create more problems for them than they can handle.
This is a great idea, and at the very least we will get to play a very good team in a tough environment.
Yeah sorry I meant 72 Munich…This regime in Iran will stop at nothing to humiliate the US, which includes taking high level U.S. civilians as hostages, which they did in 79.
Middle East is the only region/style that the US hasn’t played yet over the last few years. They’re probably trying to expose the players to that environment/style to prepare them as much as possible.
The US has played/is scheduled to play South American teams (Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador), African teams (South Africa and Ghana), Asian teams (Japan and China), and European teams (Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Poland, Spain), but no Middle East teams.
Easy publicity and new experience for the players. Not a bad idea.
i hope they do play. i also hope the usa tries to run up the score.
Alecko’s an Armo, BTW.
Playing outside the US is always a good challenge for the USMNT. This would be a great friendly that could help both teams and nations. I just hope security is super tight if the game is played.
this would be a great tune up…. a hostile crowd who in some ways have every right to be unhappy with our goverbment over the years (1953)….but anywho Iran have a good squad….getting a win in Tehran would be a GREAT result
@MiamiA — Are you worried about Jozy and DMB giving a black power salute? Or more of a 1972 Munich situation?
Futbol is so internationally respected as a sport that brings even just a moment of peace, I can’t imagine the Hell Iran would have to pay if something so horrific happened to ANY futbol team in their care…except Israel, of course.
But I do understand the hesitation.
I think this game would be a step in the right direction with Iran. You know Obama has to be heavily in favor of this.
MiamiA, without getting overly political, you cannot possibly think Iraq is safer than Iran. Safety might be an issue because of rampant anti-Americanism in the entire region, but our players are likely safer in Iran than Iraq, a literal war zone.
I doubt it will do much for US-Iran relations but in terms of the USMNT, it is GREAT! To play a quality opponent in one of the most intimidating stadiums of the world (Azadi stadium which holds over 100,000 people) is alot better than some of the other options. Plus its great publicity for the USMNT.
My first thought was that it would be better if the match were in the US, but I can surely see the political benefits of playing it in Iran.
Add me to those hoping this match happens. More experience in a tough environment (probably tougher than most CONCACAF venues, Azteca being the obvious exception), different style of play, testing players by taking them out of their comfort zones… what’s not to like?
The match isn’t going to change either side’s diplomacy, but it’d be a valuable experience for the players Bradley selects.
I am against the game in Iran…Who is to guarantee the safety of the team? Aminijad? I could see shades of 68 Olympics happening here…Play Iraq instead.
Who cares about the politics. I want us to jihad those bastards for 98 lol.
Then they see Heath Pearce stink up the left side of the field, and they turn off the TV to go outside and play basketball and baseball.
Posted by: Ted | May 25, 2009 at 07:34 PM
Very funny but that’s why we have Jonathan Spector
@cam, I’m also keeping my fingers crossed for a US Iraq game in the Confed Cup.
Aside from the possible political benefits, this would also be great for soccer in the US as a whole.
If this goes through it would generate so much free publicity in this country. Channels like CNN will jump all over this story, and it will only help the sport get bigger and gain more respect.
I’m in!! During the late 70’s I spent 2 years in Iran after the US Govt sold F14’s to the Shah. The people are great, its the govt that is screwed up.
Lets go show them what are are made of!!
Call up Alecko Eskandarian!!!
Maybe we can play this game head to the World Cup and have North Korea in our group. The media outlets would eat that up.
Playing in Tehran in front of 100 thousand dudes is the perfect atmosphere to get ready for the World Cup unless the team is easily distracted my high pitched crowd noise.
LOL @ Ted’s Comment
But seriously, I’d really like to see this happen.
Different Environment, Different style of play, this could be a good preparation match for our guys.
Excellent. Hope it happens.
A chance to demonstrate friendship with a nation we’re constantly arguing with? I think it’s a smart idea. Ideally, politics is supposed to be absent from this process, but how can it be ignored?
Ted,
you have me cracking up over here
All American eyes turn to Tehran, as a brave group of Yanks step out on the field. Each one of them represents America — Jozy Altidore, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, José Francisco Torres — and children across the states watch in awe.
A love for the sport grows in them. What a beautiful game. The impact isn’t lost on them, as they look up at their parents and grandparents, the very ones in which fear and confusion of Iran is so deeply instilled.
With each kick of the ball, little Johnny or little D.J. or little Pablo or little Lee watch their new idols and strive to be like them.
Then they see Heath Pearce stink up the left side of the field, and they turn off the TV to go outside and play basketball and baseball.
I’m all for this match. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the United States and Iraq will get to play at the confederations cup.
Iran just recently named Iran-American Afshin Ghotbi as their manager. He had long ties to the Southern Cal soccer scene and I believe was instrumental in getting John O’Brien to Ajax. At one time I think he was an assistant with the Galaxy. There’s no doubt Ghotbi and Sunil know each other. This is probably how to talk go started. I think it would be fantastic to play Iran. Their national team is rising and they are starting to export talent across Europe. It’s a great idea to schedule them. I hope it happens.
This would be a good move for political and football reasons. We need to play in tough circumstances and yes Iran would be a good opponent especially on their home turf.
Also, security issues will be close to nil. It’s an authoritarian nation, they will have the police aspect covered, don’t want to Ayatollah embarrassed!
“read some history before the 70’s, like 1953.”
Paul, don’t be patronizing.
Wow…not sure I’d like to be in charge of security for this match, but wow.
At least it’s not Mexico. I’m almost getting tired of beating them once or twice a year.
Playing in a hostile stadium of likely 100,000 wouldn’t be bad practice either. Iran is a decent if not good football side as well.
I’m also always in favor of using sports to bridge gaps in culture.
How could it be unwise? I like this move for soccer and political reasons. The drumbeat for war against a nation that has done nothing to us might be stilled by such contacts. This is a good thing. ps, In case anyone wants to complain about the “nothing to us” remark, read some history before the 70’s, like 1953.
Actually, upon further reflection, maybe this is the kind of match that can push our NT into the national media spotlight. It really isn’t a big deal, but the media with make it out to be something more. National pub would be nice. Let’s make it happen just to get our boys some exposure.
I bet the thought process went something like this:
“Hey, remember when we went to Cuba? We got a lot of free pub out of that right? What if next time we played Russia? No,wait, I got a better one. Check this out…oh..this is sweet. You’re gonna love this one. How about….IRAN! That would sick, right? We could go over THERE. The national press would be all over it. Sweet, sweet, sweet. I’ll get the Aylatollah dude on the phone.”
Solid competition and a chance to play someone we don’t usually play. Sounds like a winner. I wouldn’t buy too much into the political issues surrounding the game. Who cares? It should be a decent match and one we should win, even away from the States.