U.S. Men's Soccer to Play Two Exhibitions in the South Bay

(Clint Dempsey practicing with the US Men’s Soccer team. Photo courtesy of U.S. Soccer)

The U.S. men’s soccer team will play exhibitions against Iceland Jan. 31 and Canada Feb. 5 at StubHub Center in Carson, U.S. Soccer announced.

Tickets for both games will go on sale Friday through ussoccer.com, by calling (888) 929-7849 and at the StubHub Center ticket office, which is open noon-6 p.m. weekdays.

Groups of 20 or more can order through ussoccer.com.

Ultimate Fan Tickets -- special VIP packages that include a premium ticket, a custom-made official U.S. National Team jersey with name and number, VIP access to the field before and after the game, and other unique benefits -- are also available exclusively through ussoccer.com.

Iceland is 36th in the ratings compiled by FIFA, soccer’s worldwide governing body, four spots behind the U.S. The game will be the first between the two teams since April 24, 1994, when Iceland won 2-1 in San Diego. The series is tied, 2-2-2.

Iceland qualified for the 2016 European Championship, twice defeating Netherlands, which finished third in the 2014 World Cup, in qualifying as they finished second in its group and advanced to a major tournament for the first time.

“Iceland is one of the up-and-coming soccer nations in Europe,” U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said.

“They have been really impressive in qualifying for the European Championship for the first time, and they have earned huge compliments for their youth player development. Their players are now spread across the big leagues in Europe.”

Canada is ranked 88th by FIFA. It is 0-8-8 against the U.S. since its last victory over the Americans in 1985. The U.S. leads the series, 13-8-11.

“As we know from our past meetings, Canada is a difficult opponent that is not easy to break down,” Klinsmann said.

“It’s a good experience to play against them, particularly for some of our younger players. They started off on the right foot in World Cup qualifying, having won at home and picking up a point on the road in El Salvador, so this will be a good challenge.”

--City News Service