USMNT to play European champs in first match since qualification humiliation

U.S. Soccer announced on Monday that the United States men’s national team will play a friendly against the reigning European champions, Portugal, in a friendly on November 14.

This is the first game scheduled by U.S. Soccer since their meltdown in World Cup qualifying that will see them miss the greatest sporting event in the world for the first time since 1986.

This will hopefully be a chance for the interim coach (Reports say it’s sure to be Tab Ramos, but official announcement is expected soon) to experiment with younger players. It would make no sense whatsoever for the same veterans who couldn’t get the job done when it counted to get a call-up when nothing is on the line.

The roster for this match will be very interesting. Is this the start of the new era for U.S. Soccer or will whoever is in charge rehash the same old, tired squad?

Whatever the case, they’ll be taking on the No. 3 ranked ream in the world and some guy named Cristiano. Should be fun!