By FRANCO PANIZO
The U.S. Men’s National Team will take on Azerbaijan, Turkey and Nigeria in their pre-World Cup send-off series.
U.S. Soccer announced on Thursday that the Americans will face Azerbaijan at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on May 27 before traveling to New Jersey to face Turkey at Red Bull Arena on June 1. The Send-Off Series will conclude on June 7 with a friendly against Nigeria at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida.
Azerbaijan is currently ranked No. 93 in the latest FIFA rankings, while Turkey is ranked 42nd. Nigeria is ranked No. 47, but is the defending African Nations Cup champion. The USMNT faced the Czech Republic and Turkey in their send-off matches ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The series will be the final preparation matches the U.S. team plays before kicking off the World Cup on June 16th in Natal, Brazil against Ghana.
Here is the Send-Off Series schedule (including TV listings):
U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM SEND-OFF SERIES (All Times Eastern)
May 27: Candlestick Park, San Francisco
10pm – USA vs. Azerbaijan – ESPN2
June 1: Red Bull Arena, Harrison, N.J.
2pm – USA vs. Turkey – ESPN2
June 7: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla.
6pm – USA vs. Nigeria – ESPN
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What do you think of the match-ups? Disappointed to see Azerbaijan among the teams? Think Turkey and Nigeria offer good preparations for the likes of Ghana, Portugal and Germany?
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