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USMNT in talks with Iran about potential November friendly

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The U.S. men's national team's long-rumored potential friendly vs. Iran has gone from rumor to very real possibility.

U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati revealed on Thursday that Iran and the United States are in discussions about a potential friendly later this year, with November a potential time-frame.

"We've had discussions with the Iran federation about possibly playing a game during one of the international FIFA dates in November," Gulati told the Associated Press. "Obviously, these discussions are in the very preliminary stage due to the fact that both teams are still attempting to qualify for the World Cup and it is uncertain if either country would even be available to play on those dates, but it is something we are considering."

If the teams do play, it would be the first meeting between the squads since the teams played to a 1-1 tie at the Rose Bowl in 2000, and would come more than a decade after Iran defeated the United States in the 1998 World Cup.

What do you think about this friendly moving closer to reality? Like the idea? Would you prefer the U.S. team play a more traditional power, or do you like the idea of a rematch of the 1998 World Cup match?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Yes women are allowed in the stadium. However, they sit in a family section, as is customary with most places in Iran (ie restaurants).

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  2. After they arrive, hold the players hostage at RFK. Claim they are agents of Savak. Demand the dismantling of all nuclear weapons as a condition for their release.

    As crazy as it sounds, I actually like this idea.

    Otherwise, we have no business playing a nation that has formally and publicly dedicated itself to the obliteration of another nation. Nor does any other nation. This business about “sport bringing peace” is rubbish. How “peaceful” is Iran after two WCs and two matches against the United States?

    Iran should be treated like the international pariah that it is — like South Africa was before it abolished apartheid. Iran should be expelled from the IOC and FIFA until it renounces its Islamic imperialism and vows to destroy Israel (and, no, I’m not Jewish). What, is Iran really better than South Africa under apartheid?

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  3. I agree with Fizzle. Seattle would be a great place for any match, really. I would love to see something other than Grenada there for the Gold Cup (such as, um, HONDURAS?!! I hate being outnumbered!!!) And please disregard the FAKE Kevin on post #5! This here’s the real deal.

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  4. hell no!US soccer should not travel to any country that bans people from attending soccer games based on race,gender,or religion.Iran bans female fans from all sporting events and US soccer should not condone this.By participating in this game US soccer would be actively discriminating female fans. SHAME SHAME

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  5. Asalama-Lakem… Lets do it, it would get soccer/football over the news and it would be entertaining to see all the political pundents try to make up some reason why its a bad idea

    You dont travel half way across the Earth to play on turf field, sorry Seattle, once you get a proper field I hope you guys get a ton of games, but until then I just dont think its gunna happen.

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  6. I love it!! Soccer wise it’s a good test for the US. Politically it’s even better. We need to build a friendship with Iran going forward and what’s better then a football match to get it moving.

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  7. YES!
    One in Tehran (will make me nervous though)
    and one in *SEATTLE*

    that will be awesome! i’d fly up to seattle to see that. this time open up the top deck so we can fill up 60k!

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  8. If this game doesn’t get major exposure from the US media, then Football in this country will never make it. How can it not get exposure. But of course the media is run by American-football loving morons who just don’t care.

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  9. As long as the Iran keeps Beasley after the game, I’m all for it.

    Posted by: sonicdeathmonkey

    I know everyone’s down on the guy and I’m certainly not a major fan of his but the guy’s been hurt for over a year. No one’s gonna look after that length of time away from the game. I think there’s still hope for the lad.

    Love the idea of playing Iran. Soccer diplomacy..

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  10. Ives, have you heard anything regarding other friendlies? It’s to play Iran but I’d also like to see more Euro and South American competition as tuneups for South Africa this fall and next spring.

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  11. I love it on every level: good road game for the NT; lots of domestic media exposure leading into 2010; and good diplomatically, of course. Anyone know how pro-Iran that LA crowd was in 2000? Doesn’t seem like that location could have been an accident.

    I can’t imagine security would be an issue in Iran–here, maybe, but not there. Iran is a theo/mona/democracy, but it’s still an authoritarian regime and nothing bad would happen.

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  12. There are many good reasons to play Iran:

    – Iran is a quality opponent so it a good test for each team.

    – Playing Iran would certainly be newsworthy, so it would likely be a way for US Soccer to get a ton of free media attention as we head into the 2010 World Cup.

    – Playing Iran in a friendly match would demonstrate the usefulness of sports as a common interest between different cultures, and could possibly alleviate geo-political tensions between the U.S. and Iran/muslims, and could foreshadow future cooperation in other areas. The timing seems right for this sort of move.

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  13. Even if the game were to be in Tehran most Americans would still be required to buy in on a “S2000 tour” -not including airfare… in order to visit the Islamic Republic. Those with dual citizenship -another Passport aside from USA- may fare a better chance to stroll around freely.

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  14. Afshin Ghotbim, their manager, is an Iranian-American, who has long ties to the US soccer scene particular to Los Angeles. Ghotbim, I believe, paved the way for John O’Brien to head to Ajax. I was elated he was named their manager after years of being passed over. Going to Tehran will a stern battle for our national team. It will be a dog fight for all the right reasons. I’m not the least worried about their safety. The US wrestlers were treated with the utmost respect a few years back.

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  15. An interesting, outside of the box idea, sure why not. Hopefully we can get a decent European side on that other November international fixture date.

    Just so long as we aren’t playing a WC playoff against South America #5 I’ll be happy.

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  16. They should go. Obama should go watch in person, as part of his promise of diplomacy with Iran. Call it a later day “ping pong diplomacy”.

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  17. This game can’t be played anywhere other than Tehrangeles (aka Los Angeles). I believe LA has the largest Iranian population outside of Iran. I know a lot of Iranians that hate the government, but support the national team. Should make for a good match.

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  18. Will Red Bull Arena be finished by November? USA vs Iran from NYC would be wonderful.

    Also, they may even have a new President as elections are in two days.

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  19. Ives,

    We did play Iran to a 1-1 draw in January 2000 in Pasadena. I look forward to the exposure this match will give the nats.

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  20. @ Mike Ruze- Dubai is not a country. It’s part of the U.A.E.
    According to the Original Winger these matches are already booked as a home and home.

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  21. After they arrive, hold the players hostage at RFK. Claim they are agents of Savak. Demand the dismantling of all nuclear weapons as a condition for their release.

    However if Ollie North negotiates to get our cake and Bible back, all is forgiven, and the match continues.

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  22. They played a friendly in LA a few years after the 1998 WC. That was 1-1. So this isn’t the first game between the two teams since that WC. Ives is wrong.

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  23. We should play this game in Tehran but I’m betting USSF puts it SoCal like last time. Huge Iranian population in LA area.

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  24. Great idea. It will hopefully be a sign of solidarity between the two countries, and Iran is a challenging opponent. It would also be nice to exact some revenge from 1998.

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  25. When will the US realize that all big games played in Seattle will sell out? The new Sounders FC are pulling Barcelona at home… why can’t the national team bring the show up to the NW? You want a national team sell out… bring it to Seattle!

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  26. I am all for it, my wife is from Iran and I think it would be fun to watch her choose who she will root for. I wish they would have a home and home. One in Tehran and one in NJ or DC.

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  27. Iran…okay.

    Just as long as Marvell Wynne stays home. Seriously, did you see him in Costa Rica? When Davies was fighting with the CR Left-back (before he stomped on him), you can see Davies look up at Wynne who was walking away from the sideline not even watching the play and completely open.

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  28. I’m all for the Nats going on the road. We don’t prove much by beating Mexico over and over again.

    Iran may not be a top quality opponent, but they’re decent. I’d take this fixture over Sweden’s B team in Carson, CA any day of the week.

    And yes, it’s always nice to see sporting events bring countries together. It’s healthy and I’m all for it.

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  29. I like the idea not just because Iran is a solid international side or different from the normal opponents the USMNT faces, but also because of the attention it will bring domestically. The political tension between the two nations is something everyone is aware of, so to see their soccer federations being able to cooperate to a point that they schedule a friendly is encouraging.

    I’d love to see this game in the Azadi Stadium, the USMNT needs to play more games in these types of stadiums.

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