Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SANDY — The United States men’s national team faces a pair of crucial World Cup qualifiers against Trinidad & Tobago and Mexico in June.
But first comes the matter of an international friendly at Rio Tinto Stadium.
“We’re not in a good spot, but we’re in better position than in November,” said Bruce Arena, head coach for the United States men's national team, which will face Venezuela at 8 p.m. MDT Saturday in Salt Lake City. “We have a long way to go, and we have to go out and earn points. The position we are in right now is not qualified for the World Cup. That may be the case until Game 10 in October.”
Make no mistake, Saturday’s international friendly at Rio Tinto Stadium matters for the United States.
“It’s perfect preparation for us for these difficult World Cup qualifiers against Mexico and Trinidad,” Arena said. “Salt Lake City has always been a great venue for their team and for the U.S. team. We’re pleased to be here, and I think it will be a very good team.
“I think it’s an important game for us.”
For the United States, results in both qualifiers will be crucial as they try to improve on their current fourth-place standing in the final hexagonal before Russia in 2018. The top three teams automatically qualify for the World Cup, while a fourth will face a two-game playoff for another spot in the field.
“After two games, the situation wasn’t good. After four games, it’s clearly better but we’re still not where we want to be,” U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley said. “Coming into games five and six, it’s very, very important that we understand where we are and that there is still a real need for urgency to take points. We do, and we’re excited by the chance to be back together again.”
It may “just” be a friendly to many, but Bradley said the U.S. camp is taking Saturday’s match in Utah as important as the June 8 qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago, and the qualifier at Mexico’s famed Azteca Stadium just three days later.
“Any time you get an opportunity to represent your national team, it’s a big chance,” said Bradley, who has 130 caps. “You don’t take those for granted, so we’ll enjoy tomorrow night and get ready for a really important week.”
Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando has been with the national team all week, and club teammate Jefferson Savarino will suit up for Venezuela. Among the other notable names on the U.S. roster are Jozy Altidore, DaMarcus Beasley, Graham Zusi and 18-year-old sensation Christian Pulisic, who just became the second-ever American player to win the German Cup title playing in the midfield at Borussia Dortmund.
“As he continues to grow, he’ll position himself to be a key member and provide some leadership,” Arena said of Pulisic. “But we want to give him room to grow. He’s a very good player, and in time, he’ll demonstrate that he is a key player on this team.”
The United States could also make history in the upcoming three-game span. Veteran Clint Dempsey has 56 goals in 132 caps, just one marker behind the country’s all-time leading scorer Landon Donovan.
“He’s a goalscorer, and when you score goals, you are certainly different than most players on the field,” Arena said of Dempsey. “He has a track record, and everywhere he’s been, he’s scored goals.
“He’s still a player that I believe can give us quality minutes. His career has been impressive. … Today, I see a quality player who is in a good place. It’s been a great run for him.”
The historic goal may come Saturday. It may come next week. It may even come in the World Cup in Russia. But it is almost assuredly to happen sooner than later.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be on the field with Clint on so many big days, and his ability to leave everything he has on the field and make plays that make a difference has been incredible,” Bradley said. “When you are getting ready for big games, and you see Clint, he’s a guy you want with you on the biggest stage.”
