Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com
With the latest batch of international friendlies in the rear view mirror, the U.S. national team is looking forward to its next set of games, which will both take place in Europe.
The United States' next two friendlies will be played during the Nov. 11-15 FIFA international window, and according to U.S. Soccer, "the two matches will be played in Europe and will be announced in the near future."
Reports out of France earlier this week suggested that if Les Bleus qualified for the finals of Euro 2012 and didn't need that fixture window for a playoff that they would host the United States. That scenario played out for France after its draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday.
When told that France won its Euro qualifying group prior to the USA-Ecuador friendly Tuesday night, U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati said, "Good to know. It will definitely shed some light for those of us that have the map right now, and we'll make that public in the next few days."
There's been little speculation to date about the identity of the second opponent.
The November international window falls in the week between the MLS semifinals and MLS Cup final, meaning that Jurgen Klinsmann's roster from a domestic standpoint should be extremely contingent on which teams advance to the league's championship game.
For MLS teams that will have been eliminated, the friendlies provide an opportunity for U.S. players on those teams to extend their personal playing calendars a bit, something that has been a major talking point for Klinsmann in the recent weeks as he strives to get MLS to lengthen its season and cut back on the down time for MLS players.
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What do you think about a potential USA-France meeting? Which nation in Europe would you like to see the United States face?
Share your thoughts below.
Put Germany as the 2nd team.
I think the USA should do what Boxer do when they are coming up in the Ranking and that is playing with team a bit under their level without any disrespect to other teams cause you’ll never know who going to beat you ala Argentina vs. Venezuela. But that will be lika having a sparing and that way Klismann should start playing all the formation he wants to play and all his players that he wants to bring to the USNMT. When is all and done and he has already pick the A team than he can play teams like France, Germany, Spain, Argentina, Brazil or even Mexico.
Will other injured players be available by then?
Shouldn’t Torres be back by November?
What about Lichij? (sp?)
We need a CAM more than anything right now.
I’m okay with trying out Mix or even, gosh I don’t even want to type this…Adu at that CAM spot.
I think we saw last night that Klinsi’s ball movement style falls flat on the attack w/ out a true central distributor out there.
Williams looks to have the quality to play many positions. Look forward to see him on the pitch again soon.
Of the teams qualified for Euro 2012, I would love to play Italy or Greece. Both would probably beat us.
Of the non-qualified squads, I’d like to play Romania or Scotland.
funniest thing i’ve read all week.
i hear they have a Great Manager.
concerned about involuntary sharting
After watching Armenia play Ireland really tough yesterday, I wouldn’t mind seeing the USA play Armenia. It would be a tougher game than many people think, but still a very winnable game for the USMNT.
Well, we know they like things/people who are 11. Whether or not they have a Starting XI is debatable.
Can I get back to you on that one?
+1, got to get ready for the early qualifiers vs. Bermuda and Guatemala..
id say Luxenberg, Lapland or Malta
I see a lot of potential and I also see a player adjusting on the fly.
If I recall correctly, he just got his US Passport on Monday and began training on Tuesday.
Disappointment or Looking as if he has potential within the system? Glass half-empty of half-full type of thing.
I think Williams could benefit greatly, too, from playing centrally ahead of Beckerman or Bradley. Especially when Donovan returns.
Don’t call Ream up again!
Good. We need tons of work, especially getting for Olymipic Qualfiers ready, maybe we get some on Dec.
I’ve been a little disappointed by Williams so far… but maybe I’m the only one. What do yall think?
Does The Vatican have a team?
USA vs Albania would be a great match and france had albania in there qualifying group!
France would be a decent test considering how badly they play as a team, regardless of the names on their shirts.
The second game has to be against an inferior opponent. Getting hammered by a European powerhouse won’t help us one bit.
What a thrashing that would be.
+1 haha
France will be a great team to play but I would try to play a second team that is a lower standard just because the USA need to play European players and Youth one. More German/American and some from the U20 teams with some mix of Veterans.
For me players that should be in the USMNT:
Chandler
Shea
Dempsey
Williams
Gooch
Altidore
Howard
Bradley
Agudelo
Beasley
Player that deserve a second chance to prove themself in the USNMT
Beckerman
Edu
Buddle.
Players that should be left out for the next call up
Boca
Cherundolo – Boca and Dolo not because they are bad players but they are getting older.
Spector
Ream
Hope to see this lineup next time
Fowards:
Altidore(Agudelo/Boyde(germany/Teal)
Dempsey(Gyau/Adu/Davis/Starikov)
Midfields:
LM – Shea(Beasley/Donovan/Garza)
RM – Donovan(Williams/Josh/Bedoya)
Holding Mid – Torres(Diskerud/Holden)
Defend Mid – Bradley(Jones/Williams)
Defends:
LD – Lichaj (F.Johnson/Lleget/Boyde-mls)
CLD – Gooch(Gonzalez/Amobi/Kitchen)
CRD – Goodson(whitebread/Gale/John)
RD – Chandler (Lichaj)
Goalkeepers:
Howard(Yelldell/Hamid/Johnson)
USA vs Ghana in London would be a total sell-out. They are our arch-nemesis. Let’s pay them back.
Good squad yes. They just have no world class players and tend to be under-rated
Ireland’s in the playoffs so that’s not gonna happen.
Wales would be a waste of time. Seriously, they suck.
Sweden and Norway would be good except who’s travelling to those countries to play a match in November? There’s a reason why they get a winter break.
At this point we need to play Luxembourg first; followed by a daunting test against Cyprus. We need some goals and some confidence and what better then Europe’s donkeys.
Seriously though; I hope Ireland and or Wales and a Nordic team (ala Sweden, Norway, etc).
Is there something wrong with Jozy’s knees that he can never squat in the team photo’s?
USA vs Sweden would be nice. Gooch vs Ibra part 2.
Maybe he should pass it off to someone. Because we know in the event they’re mugged – he can’t defend himself.
But….at least he can pass, right?
The Faroe Islands that played with and narrowly drew Italy not too long ago?
Now I wonder if THAT would happen yet?? Very interesting…
Good point about Johnson, I had forgotten about his potential call up.
Displace Beasley then in my proposed lineup
I would think Poland or Ukraine for the other game. They need qulity opponets since they did not have to qualify for Euro 12. I would love to see us play Germany but it is probably to early in the Klinnsman’s tenure to do that game.
I would love to play Greece. Fantastic team who’ve already qualified. Very intimidating atmosphere in Athens too. Great experience and test.
Also agreed that perhaps playing an African team would be cool. Being that Ghana knocked us out twice in a row, revenge would be nice. Or better yet, Egypt!
LOL,
I was thinking San Marino and Andorra.
;O)
Given our current run of form, I think Luxembourg or Faroe Islands is a better matchup
Germany?
I don’t think so. Why do people keep saying this about Denmark? They actually have a pretty good team and would fare better against any of the top 10 teams in the world.
played them 2 years ago. we lost 3-1. But yeah we are pretty even. Amazing how they beat both Portugal/Sweden to reach WC 2010 and Portugal/Norway to reach Euro 2012. Yet none of their players are even close to “world class”. Not even Bendtner
So France is a lock for sure?
Hm okay the other team I’d love for it to be a Balkan nation like Serbia, Bosnia or Croatia. Croatia and Bosnia are in play-offs so leaves Serbia.
So glad to hear we are playing friendlies in Europe. Leave the MLS boys behind for this 1
hahahaha
Denmark would be a pretty even match.
Yeah, and try Williams in the middle somewhere.
Seems like Fabian will be a starter as well after Klinsman’s comments.
I’d like to play Portugal, but that prob won’t happen now. What about Italy? Or Greece or Croatia? I’d really like to see us get some games vs African nations. Ghana, Senegal, or Kenya strike my fancy.
Could Fabian Johnson be ready? I would like to see him on the right with Shea on the left. True out and out wingers that could cause some serious havoc.
Ireland is still in the process of qualifying so unlikely.
I’d like to see us play Russia. I don’t remember ever playing them and they are a strong team.
(Projected November Friendly-Roster)
——————Altidore
————-Dempsey
Beasley—————————-Shea
—————–Williams
—————–
—————–Bradley
—————–
Chandler————————Cherundolo
———Boconegra—–Onyewu
—————–Howard
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Considering Donovan/Beckerman could likely be in the thick of MLS Playoffs, here’s a proposed line-up I could/would like to see.
Contingent on FCD being knocked out by that point. From a stand point of Shea showcasing himself on European soil, I’m hoping that happens.
I dont think Ireland will be available to play though. Anyone know? Sweden would be a good team or maybe even Holland again
I have been wanting the US to play France for a while, should be a good test. It would be nice to play Ireland, Serbia, or maybe an African team over in Europe for the other game
If Ream goes, please have someone assigned to keeping track of his passport, he will lose it if it’s his responsibility.
I vote for Switzerland, Sweden or Ireland. All would offer a good and fair test.