USMNT: England friendly only compounds Italy test
By Daniel Garza
The USMNT is reportedly set to face England in a November friendly. Alongside the prior reports of an Italy friendly in the coming years, it provides the perfect test.
Just days after it was announced that Italy would face the United States Men’s National Team in a November friendly, reports have surfaced that England will be a destination for the national team for the first time in 10 years.
This match will likely be played before the Italy match which is still being finalized. England and the United States Men’s National Team have not played each other since the 2010 FIFA World Cup when the two teams tied 1-1 in the group stage.
Related Story: UMSNT: Italy friendly perfect test of progress
England will be headed to the 2018 World Cup in a few months. They are paired in Group G with Tunisia, Belgium, and Costa Rica. They failed to make it to the knockout phase in the 2014 World Cup and will be looking to go far with this year’s squad led by players such as Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane.
It’s absolutely great news for the USMNT as they will have two matches against quality nations who have a wide pool of talent to choose from.
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Playing in England is never an easy task for visiting teams and will be great preparation for players playing their first international match on English soil. Likewise, the Italy fixture will provide an additional test for the squad the USMNT coaching staff decide to field.
Since this friendly falls in November, it will be interesting to see how the Three Lions select their squad for the match. They have a UEFA Nations League match during this month against Croatia and the USMNT friendly would be seen as training and a time for development ahead of their final match of the group stage of the Nations League competition. Thus, it would be expected to see a fairly star-studded lineup from England if they are indeed alive and well in the Nations League.
As for the USMNT, their potential squad for the November friendlies is anyone’s guess. Having gone with younger lineups in recent friendlies, their tendency has been to give the future players in the system a chance to impress for the next World Cup qualifying cycle. However, if they are to participate in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and Copa America in 2019, then it would be more probable to see a mixed roster comprised of veteran and young players alike.
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For the more immediate future, USMNT supporters have June’s upcoming matches to look forward to. With Bolivia, Ireland, and France on the horizon in May and June, there will be much to talk about as the comeback from the World Cup qualifying failure is on. One thing is for sure, England and Italy provide the perfect test for this youth revolution.