USA will play its first home match since the World Cup in a friendly against Ecuador in East Hartford, Conn. on Oct. 10.
The date against the Ecuadorians offers the Americans a chance to play on familiar terrain for the first time since a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in Jacksonville, Fla. on June 7. U.S. Soccer had previously announced two European friendlies against Czech Republic (Sept. 3) and Ireland (Nov. 18), but the expected encounter with Colombia in San Antonio next month fell through.
"We are really excited to get our first chance to play at home after the World Cup,” U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said in a statement. "The support from our fans in the United States and everyone that traveled to Brazil was awesome, and we want to build on that energy. We have an exciting four years ahead of us, and this is just the beginning. The U.S. team has a great history at Rentschler Field, so we are hoping for another big crowd against Ecuador.”
Klinsmann and his players will hope to take advantage of the FIFA match date — installed with Euro 2016 qualifying in mind — to continue their preparations for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup next year.
This is the first time the U.S. National team has played at Rentschler Field since Brek Shea scored the winning goal in a group stage match against Costa Rica in the Gold Cup last July. The Americans hold an all-time record of 3-1-0 at the venue and a 2-5-4 mark against the Ecuadorians.
USA schedule through the end of 2014:
Sept. 3 — at Czech Republic (Prague)
Oct. 10 — v. Ecuador (Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Conn.)
Nov. 18 — at Ireland (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
