Posted on February 2, 2012
The United States will make a rare visit to Canada when it takes on its rivals to the north at BMO Field in Toronto on June 3 at 7 p.m.
It will be the Americans’ first match on Canadian soil since 1997.
The match, part of the Centenary celebrations for the Canada Soccer Association, will be the final tune-up for both teams before the start of 2014 World Cup qualifying. The U.S. opens play June 8 at home against Antigua and Barbuda in Group A, while Canada travels to face Cuba in Group C.
“First of all, we are honored to be chosen to be part of Canada’s Centenary Celebration,” U.S. coach Juergen Klinsmann said. “This is exactly the type of challenge we are looking for as we grow the team and get ready for the start of World Cup qualifying. There is a great history in the rivalry, and Canada is a team we could see in the final round of qualifying. It’s a win-win for everybody.”
The U.S. has a 3-6-1 record in matches in Canada in the series dating back to 1925 but has won the last two times. The most recent visit came in the final round of qualifying for the 1998 World Cup on Nov. 9, 1997, when an early goal by Claudio Reyna and two from Roy Wegerle delivered the U.S. a 3-0 victory that clinched the the Americans’ ticket to France.
The U.S. has done exceptionally well against Canada the past two decades. The U.S. is in the midst of a 14-game unbeaten streak (8-0-6) since dropping a 2-0 decision to Canada on April 2, 1985 in Vancouver. The Americans lead the series, 13-8-9.
Photo: The U.S., coached by Juergen Klinsmann, will play its first international match in Canada for the first time in almost 15 years. Andy Mead/YCJ
Categories: Canada, North America, U.S.A.
Tags: BMO Field, Claudio Reyna, Juergen Klinsmann, Roy Wegerle
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