Red Bull Arena has scheduled its first game involving national
teams.
Turkey will play the Czech Republic in an exhibition on May
22, the start of a tour that will see both teams play the World
Cup-bound United States.
The Czechs meet the Americans on May 25, and the Turks face
the U.S. on May 29 at Philadelphia. The site for the Czech-US game
has not been finalized, but the U.S. Soccer Federation has
discussed holding it in East Hartford, Conn.
Turkey, a 2002 World Cup semifinalist, eliminated the Czechs
in the first round of the 2008 European Championship. Both nations
failed to qualify for this year's World Cup.
Czech manager Vladimir Smicer said he expects Chelsea
goalkeeper Petr Cech, Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky and
Galatasaray forward Milan Baros to be on his roster. However, a
player would miss the exhibition if his club advances to the
European Champions League final, which is the same day in Madrid.
The $200 million, 25,000-seat stadium hosts its first match
March 13, when the U.S. Under-17 team plays the New York Red Bulls'
Under-18 academy team. The stadium formally opens when the Red
Bulls play Brazil's Santos in an exhibition on March 20. Barring a
Major League Soccer work stoppage, New York hosts its first league
game there against the Chicago Fire on March 27.
