US to play Costa Rica in Colorado

Published Jan. 15, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The United States men's national team will play its first home game in the final round of World Cup qualifying against Costa Rica on March 22 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.

Seeking their seventh straight World Cup appearance, the Americans open the 10-game round against Honduras on Feb. 6 at San Pedro Sula. The game in Colorado will give the U.S. players several days of training at altitude before they play at Mexico on March 26 in their third qualifier of the final round.

"We are really excited to play our first home qualifying match at Dick's Sporting Goods Park," said U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. "Winning games at home in World Cup qualifying is crucial, and we really are expecting the fans in Colorado to bring us a huge home-field advantage."

The Americans have played one qualifier previously at the venue, beating Guatemala 2-0 in 2008.

Klinsmann's side opens CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying on Feb. 6 against Honduras in San Pedro Sula. Along with Honduras, Costa Rica and Mexico, the United States is joined by Jamaica and Panama as the final six teams set to compete for three spots for the 2014 World Cup tournament in Brazil. The fourth-place team in CONCACAF advances to a playoff, likely against New Zealand.

The United States Soccer Federation announced the site Tuesday, while also formalizing plans to celebrate their 100-year anniversary.