USMNT to play Copa America Centenario tune-ups in Kansas City, Dallas
The United States have set their pre-Copa America Centenario schedule. They will play a friendly against Ecuador in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, TX on May 25, followed by a contest against Bolivia on May 28 in Kansas City, KS.
The U.S. begin Copa America Centenario on June 3, giving them six days between their tune-up friendlies and the start of the tournament. With the competition serving up a slew of matches in a short timespan, getting one last respite prior to the start of it will serve the team well.
When the U.S. play in Frisco, they will be at Toyota Stadium. The 20,500-seat stadium is home to FC Dallas and is becoming a bigger part of U.S. Soccer's plans. The federation is helping launch the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame at the venue and it is the site of the Americans' men's Olympic qualifying playoff. It was also used for the women's Olympic qualifier and the Gold Cup a year ago. Some of those events are organized by CONCACAF, not U.S. Soccer, but it's clear that the venue is trying to become a fixture in the international scene and it is successful so far.
The Americans' match in Kansas City is at Children's Mercy Park, where the U.S. has been a regular since it opened in 2011. Every match the senior team has played there has been a sellout and it has given the Americans some of the best support of any venue in the country. With Kansas City firmly established as one of the best soccer markets in the country, but not a host site for Copa America Centenario, it's not a surprise that they are getting a tune-up match.
Ecuador will provide the U.S. with a stern test. The team is up to No. 13 in the world and are in good form, although they have never been especially successful in tournaments so their prospects at Copa America Centenario don't look great. Bolivia aren't nearly as good, ranking 72nd in the world and should be easier for the U.S. Neither team is in the Americans' group at Copa America Centenario so they make for logical tune-up opponents.
