By CALEB SONNELAND
The U.S. Soccer Federation has officially announced two upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Costa Rica in early September.
The United States Men's National Team will play host to the Costa Ricans at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California on Sept. 2, shortly before making the trip to Brussels to take on Belgium on Sept. 6.
Set for a 11pm ET kickoff, the Costa Rica game will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPN3.com and Galavision.
Tickets for the Costa Rica go on sale (starting at $20) to the public Friday, July 15, at 2pm ET.
Only four days later, the USMNT will clash Belgium on September 6th for the first time since 1998 and only the fourth time in its history.
The United States is very familiar with Costa Rica, having accumulated an even 11-11-6 record starting back in 1975, the last of which saw Jonathon Bornstein become the hero for the USMNT while condemning Costa Rica to a World Cup playoff with Uruguay, which it lost.
The USA-Belgium friendly is slated for a 2:30pm ET kick off, the match will be shown on ESPN Classic and ESPN3.com.
Belgium is boasting one of its best crop of players in years with the likes of Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Steven Defour and captain Thomas Vermaelen (among others) all having been called up in the past. Tim Howard could also be tested by Everton teammate Marouane Fellaini.
What do you think of these friendlies? Excited to see the U.S. team get back on the field? Who are you hoping to see get called up?
Share your thoughts below.