U.S. MNT Visit Canada for Final 2014 WCQ Tune-Up

Published: Friday, 3. February, 2012 in category U.S. National Team

The U.S. Men's National Team will make a rare visit to Canada when it renews the rivalry June 3 at BMO Field in Toronto. Kickoff for the USA's first match on Canadian soil since 1997 is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network.

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Fans can also follow the match live online via ussoccer.com's MatchTracker and Twitter @ussoccer.

Part of the Centenary celebrations for the Canada Soccer Association, the match will be the final tune-up for both teams before the start of 2014 FIFA 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.

Ticket information for U.S. Soccer supporters will be available in the near future.

"First of all, we are honored to be chosen to be part of Canada's Centenary Celebration," said Klinsmann. "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 lifetime record in matches in Canada in the series dating back to 1925 but has won the last two times out. The most recent visit came in the final round of qualifying for the 1998 FIFA 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 USA's ticket to France.

Overall, the United States has done exceptionally well against Canada for 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 lifetime series record stands at 13-8-9 in the USA's favor.

The U.S. Men's National Team will begin its journey toward the 2014 FIFA World Cup this June when it begins play in Group A of CONCACAF Semifinal Round qualifying. Along with the U.S., Group A is comprised of Antigua and Barbuda, Guatemala and Jamaica. Each opponent will meet twice, once at home and once away, in round robin play. The USA's opening match in group play will take place June 8 at home against first-time semifinalists Antigua and Barbuda. Four days later, the U.S. will play away against Guatemala.

- ussoccer.com -