Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By DAN KARELL
U.S. Soccer announced on Friday that the U.S. Men’s National Team will play the Scotland National Team in a friendly match on Friday, November 15 in Glasgow.
The game is the first of two friendlies (the other against an opponent to be determined is set for November 19) that the No. 13 ranked USMNT will play during the November FIFA international fixture dates. The match against Scotland will take place at Scotland’s national stadium, Hampden Park.
“The game against Scotland is crucial for us because we have so few games between now and when we name the roster for the FIFA World Cup,” USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said in a statement. “It’s a huge opportunity for the players, and we are excited to play against a team and in a venue that has so much tradition and history in football.”
It’s the second time in two years that the U.S. will face Scotland in a friendly match. In May 2012, the USMNT routed Scotland, 5-1, with a Landon Donovan hat-trick leading the way. Scotland are currently in fifth-place in their World Cup qualifying group and were the first nation eliminated from contention for Brazil 2014.
Scotland lead the all-time series between the two nations, 3-2-2, with their last win coming in 1992. They are currently ranked No. 63 in the FIFA rankings, having dropped 13 places despite a 2-1 victory on Tuesday in Macedonia.
“I am looking forward to playing the USA at Hampden Park in November,” Scotland National Team head coach Gordon Strachan said in a statement. “While it would be great to be preparing for the World Cup in Brazil, or taking part in the play-offs, this match will give us another opportunity to maintain the momentum achieved with the results and performances against Croatia and Macedonia.”
The game between the USMNT and Scotland is set to kickoff at 3pm ET and will be shown on ESPN2 as well as the Univision Networks.
——–
What do you think of this news? Do you believe that Scotland is a good challenge for the team? Who do you see Klinsmann calling up for the match?
Share your thoughts below.