Socceroos to Meet USA in Friendly

[Statue]

I saw this on the fox sports website about 10 minutes ago,

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26856310-5014539,00.html

Socceroos will play the US in friendly, week before first World Cup game

March 16, 2010 The Socceroos will play the United States in Johannesburg on June 5, eight days before their opening World Cup Group D match against Germany.

The friendly match at Ruimsig Stadium in the suburb of Roodeport was announced by the US Soccer Federation and American coach Bob Bradley welcomed the clash with a "quality opponent" before his 18th-ranked team meets England in their Group C opener on June 12.

"Australia demonstrated in 2006 that they're a team capable of competing at the World Cup," Bradley said.

It will be only the third time the two teams have ever met and the 25th-ranked Socceroos hold an historical edge, having drawn 0-0 in 1998 at San Diego and winning 1-0 at Orlando, Florida, in 1992.

Socceroos Coach Pim Verbeek said that this match was crucial for his teams preparations for the tournament.

"The USA are a very strong team and of course will be participating at the FIFA World Cup.

"They narrowly lost to the Netherlands recently, which shows their qualities, so this match will be very good preparation us,"

"Their style of play will allow us to test our players against similar opposition to what we will face at the World Cup," concluded Verbeek.

The game could produce a matchup of Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer against his Fulham teammate, US striker Clint Dempsey.

The clash with the Americans could also be repeated in the round of 16 at the World Cup since winners and runner-ups from groups C and D play each other in the round of 16.

The Americans went out in the group stage of the 2006 World Cup.

They edged Mexico to top the table in North American final-round qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.

The Qantas Socceroos have been drawn in Group D of the 2010 FIFA World Cup alongside Germany, Serbia and Ghana, whilst the USA have been drawn in Group C with England, Algeria and Slovenia.

The match will be played at the Ruimsig Stadium, Roodepoort and will be broadcast Live and Exclusive by FOX SPORTS in Australia.

FFA is also in the process of organising another international friendly match for the Qantas Socceroos in South Africa prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup with details to be announced once finalised.

AAP

 

[FFC Mariner]

He scores with his left
He scores with his right
That boy Dempsey
Made Drogba look shite

 

[dibo]

If we kill Landon Donovan, I think the world will be happy. Galaxy, Bayern, Everton... I mean it keeps getting worse!

 

[midfielder]

Gotta love Twitter http://marinators.net/forum/index.php?topic=4788.0

 

[Blair]

bit more of a challenge then NZ   

 

[Sym]

fkn dislike usa
especially after that doucher bruce arena and his shite
no mercy

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Excellent hit out.
Was disturbed when I thought it was just going to be NZ prior to the WC.

If we beat them, confidence booster.
If we lose, buckling down, dig deeper and lift time. 

I'm most pleased.