clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

USA to play Puerto Rico for first time ever in preparation for Copa America 2016

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Jurgen Klinsmann and U.S. Soccer have announced their plans for Copa America Centenario preparations while adding a third and final pre-tournament friendly to the calendar. The United States will play Puerto Rico for the first time ever on May 22nd in the first of three friendlies in build-up to this summer's big tournament. The match will take place at the Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel in Bayamón, Puerto Rico and air on Fox Sports 1 at 12 p.m. ET.

USMNT training camp for this summer will convene in Miami on May 16th with Mexico and Europe-based players joining then. MLS-based players will join after their club matches on or around the 22nd. Expect a mix of Euro/Mex-based veterans and young players to take part in the friendly in Puerto Rico. Players from the U-20's, U-23's, and fringe players will all take part early in the camp before a final roster is settled on later.

"We are thrilled to be playing Puerto Rico in our first preparation game for the Copa America Centenario," said U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. "This will be an important opportunity for our players to stay sharp and keep progressing towards our opener against Colombia, and we appreciate all the efforts by the Puerto Rican Football Federation to help organize the match."

The U.S. will follow-up this first friendly with two more against Ecuador (May 25th) and Bolivia (May 28th) before kicking off the Copa America Centenario on June 3rd against Colombia.